How Do You Spell HEARKEN?

Pronunciation: [hˈɑːkən] (IPA)

Hearken is a verb that means "to listen attentively." The spelling of this word can be a bit tricky, especially as it is not a commonly used word in modern English. The IPA phonetic transcription for hearken is /ˈhɑrkən/, with emphasis on the first syllable. The "ea" in this word is pronounced as "a" (as in "car"). The "k" is silent, and the final "en" is pronounced as "uhn." Remembering this pronunciation key can help spell this word correctly next time you need to use it.

HEARKEN Meaning and Definition

  1. Hearken is a verb that originated from Middle English and can be traced back to Old English "hercnian," meaning "to listen, attend, or give heed." The term primarily denotes the act of paying close attention or listening carefully. The word emphasizes a focused and deliberate act of listening, often suggesting an eagerness or willingness to heed or comply with what is being heard.

    Hearken is often used to describe an intentional and heightened level of attentiveness to sounds, words, or messages. It implies not only the act of listening but also the sincere effort to understand and respond appropriately. It conveys a sense of earnest engagement and interest in what one is hearing.

    Furthermore, hearken can also carry a figurative connotation, indicating a thoughtful consideration or reflection upon a particular issue or idea. In such cases, it implies a deliberate introspection that goes beyond mere listening and extends to introspection and contemplation.

    Hearken is frequently employed in poetic or literary contexts to evoke a sense of nostalgia or reverence for the past. It is often associated with archaic or biblical language, adding a touch of formality or solemnity to the narrative or dialogue.

    Overall, hearken suggests a deep and purposeful attention, emphasizing a readiness to receive and respond to what is being heard, either literally or metaphorically.

  2. To attend to what is uttered; to listen; to give heed to.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for HEARKEN

Etymology of HEARKEN

The word hearken is derived from Middle English herknen, which came from Old English heorcnian. This Old English word, in turn, is related to the German word horchen, meaning to hear/listen, reflecting their common Germanic origins. The root can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word hauzjanan, which meant to hear.

Idioms with the word HEARKEN

  • hearken to sm or sth The idiom "hearken to someone or something" means to listen attentively or pay close attention to someone or something. It implies actively listening and considering the information or advice being provided.
  • hearken back The idiom "hearken back" refers to recalling or reminiscing about the past, often with a sense of nostalgia or longing. It implies turning one's attention or thoughts to something that happened earlier, reflecting on it, or drawing inspiration from it.

Similar spelling words for HEARKEN

Conjugate verb Hearken

CONDITIONAL

I would harken
we would harken
you would harken
he/she/it would harken
they would harken

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have hearkened
you would have hearkened
he/she/it would have hearkened
we would have hearkened
they would have hearkened
I would have hearken
you would have hearken
he/she/it would have hearken
we would have hearken
they would have hearken

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been hearkening
you would have been hearkening
he/she/it would have been hearkening
we would have been hearkening
they would have been hearkening

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would hearken
you would hearken
he/she/it would hearken
we would hearken
they would hearken

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be hearkening
you would be hearkening
he/she/it would be hearkening
we would be hearkening
they would be hearkening

FUTURE

I will hearken
you will hearken
he/she/it will hearken
we will hearken
they will hearken
I will harken
we will harken
you will harken
he/she/it will harken
they will harken

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be hearkening
you will be hearkening
he/she/it will be hearkening
we will be hearkening
they will be hearkening

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have hearkened
you will have hearkened
he/she/it will have hearkened
we will have hearkened
they will have hearkened
I will have harkened
we will have harkened
you will have harkened
he/she/it will have harkened
they will have harkened

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been hearkening
you will have been hearkening
he/she/it will have been hearkening
we will have been hearkening
they will have been hearkening

IMPERATIVE

you hearken
we let´s hearken

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to hearken

PAST

I harkened
we harkened
you harkened
he/she/it harkened
they harkened

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was hearkening
you were hearkening
he/she/it was hearkening
we were hearkening
they were hearkening

PAST PARTICIPLE

hearkened

PAST PERFECT

I had hearkened
you had hearkened
he/she/it had hearkened
we had hearkened
they had hearkened
I had harkened
we had harkened
you had harkened
he/she/it had harkened
they had harkened

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been hearkening
you had been hearkening
he/she/it had been hearkening
we had been hearkening
they had been hearkening

PRESENT

I hearken
you hearken
he/she/it hearkens
we hearken
they hearken
I harken
we harken
you harken
he/she/it harkens
they harken

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am hearkening
you are hearkening
he/she/it is hearkening
we are hearkening
they are hearkening

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

hearkening

PRESENT PERFECT

I have hearkened
you have hearkened
he/she/it has hearkened
we have hearkened
they have hearkened
I have harkened
we have harkened
you have harkened
he/she/it has harkened
they have harkened

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been hearkening
you have been hearkening
he/she/it has been hearkening
we have been hearkening
they have been hearkening

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it hearken

SIMPLE PAST

I hearkened
you hearkened
he/she/it hearkened
we hearkened
they hearkened
I am harkening
we are harkening
you are harkening
he/she/it is harkening
they are harkening
I was harkening
we were harkening
you were harkening
he/she/it was harkening
they were harkening
I will be harkening
we will be harkening
you will be harkening
he/she/it will be harkening
they will be harkening
I have been harkening
we have been harkening
you have been harkening
he/she/it has been harkening
they have been harkening
I had been harkening
we had been harkening
you had been harkening
he/she/it had been harkening
they had been harkening
I will have been harkening
we will have been harkening
you will have been harkening
he/she/it will have been harkening
they will have been harkening
I would have harkened
we would have harkened
you would have harkened
he/she/it would have harkened
they would have harkened
I would be harkening
we would be harkening
you would be harkening
he/she/it would be harkening
they would be harkening
I would have been harkening
we would have been harkening
you would have been harkening
he/she/it would have been harkening
they would have been harkening

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