good listener

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableapproving

   A person who pays close attention when others speak and responds with understanding and patience.

   Grammar: Used with be: she is a good listener; the plural is good listeners.

   Patterns

   • be a good listener
   • a good listener to someone

   My sister is a good listener, so everyone tells her their problems.

   A good listener asks questions instead of interrupting.

   He is a good listener, and I always feel better after talking to him.

2. 2nouncountableinformal

   A person, especially a child or student, who hears instructions and actually follows them.

   Grammar: Informal use with school or parenting contexts: he is not a good listener.

   Patterns

   • be a good listener

   The puppy is a good listener and sits as soon as I say it.

   Good listeners in class finish the project quickly.

   The coach praised her as a good listener who always remembered the plan.

Word forms

Common combinations

be a good listener

To be a good listener, put your phone away.

a good listener and a good friend

He was a good listener and a good friend.

a patient, good listener

She was a patient, good listener throughout my crisis.

become a good listener

You can become a good listener with practice.

known as a good listener

The manager is known as a good listener.

Synonyms and how they differ

sympathetic ear

A sympathetic ear describes a person's kind attention in a specific moment, whereas good listener describes a lasting trait.

attentive listener

Attentive listener stresses focus and is a little more formal than good listener, which also suggests warmth.

confidant

A confidant is someone you trust with secrets, which is a closer bond than being merely a good listener.

receptive

Receptive means open to new ideas, and is an adjective that does not by itself imply the patience of a good listener.

Opposites

Word family

listen verb

to give attention to sounds or speech

listener noun

a person who listens

listening noun

the act of paying attention to speech

attentive adjective

paying close attention

Commonly confused: good listener or hear?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “good listener”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words