Meaning & use

pay attention

phrase·Everyday

To watch, listen to, or think about something carefully and with focus.

See it in a sentence

She paid attention to every detail in the contract before signing it.

Please pay attention during the safety briefing before the flight departs.

A note on using this word

The verb pay changes form with tense, as in paid attention, but the noun attention stays the same.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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