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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | attentio, from attendere; ATTEND |
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at‧ten‧tion S1 W1
1 when you carefully listen to, look at, or think about someone or something COLLOCATIONS COLLOCATIONS
somebody's attention is on somebody/something pay attention (to somebody/something) turn your attention to somebody/something (=start listening to, looking at, or thinking about something) give (your) attention to somebody/something (=listen to, look at, or think about something, so that you can deal with a problem) somebody's full/complete/undivided attention keep somebody's attention close/careful attention attention to detail somebody's attention wanders may/could I have your attention? (=used when asking a group of people to listen carefully to you)
listen/look/think carefully
[uncountable]COLLOCATIONS somebody's attention is on somebody/something pay attention (to somebody/something) turn your attention to somebody/something (=start listening to, looking at, or thinking about something) give (your) attention to somebody/something (=listen to, look at, or think about something, so that you can deal with a problem) somebody's full/complete/undivided attention keep somebody's attention close/careful attention attention to detail somebody's attention wanders may/could I have your attention? (=used when asking a group of people to listen carefully to you)
2 the interest that people show in someone or something : Rob loves being the centre of attention (=the person who everyone is interested in, listens to etc). She spent a lot of time trying to avoid the attentions (=romantic interest) of her boss.
interest
[plural,uncountable] attract/receive/enjoy attention a player who quickly attracted the attention of several clubs The exhibition received little attention in the press.
a player who quickly attracted the attention of several clubsThe exhibition received little attention in the press. hold/keep somebody's attention (=make someone stay interested and keep reading, listening, watching etc) The book holds the reader's attention right to the very end.
The book holds the reader's attention right to the very end.Rob loves being the centre of attention (=the person who everyone is interested in, listens to etc).She spent a lot of time trying to avoid the attentions (=romantic interest) of her boss.3
notice
a) to make someone notice you, especially because you want to speak to them or you need their help : She waved to attract the attention of the waitress.
attract/catch/get somebody's attention
She waved to attract the attention of the waitress.b) to make someone notice you and be interested in what you are doing : Children often misbehave in order to get attention.
get attention
Children often misbehave in order to get attention.c) to make people notice and be concerned or think about something : The purpose of the article was to draw attention to the problems faced by single parents. We wanted to focus public attention on this matter. He left quietly to avoid drawing attention to himself.
draw/call attention to something
also focus attention on somethingThe purpose of the article was to draw attention to the problems faced by single parents.We wanted to focus public attention on this matter.He left quietly to avoid drawing attention to himself.d) to make people stop being concerned about something such as a social problem : All this talk of war is just an attempt to draw attention away from the serious economic problems that face our country.
divert/distract/draw attention from something
All this talk of war is just an attempt to draw attention away from the serious economic problems that face our country.e) to tell someone, especially someone in authority, about something such as a problem : The matter was first brought to my attention earlier this year.
bring something to somebody's attention
The matter was first brought to my attention earlier this year.f) if something such as a problem comes to the attention of someone in authority, they find out about it : It came to my attention that Jenny was claiming overtime pay for hours she had not worked.
come to somebody's attention
It came to my attention that Jenny was claiming overtime pay for hours she had not worked.g) if something escaped your attention, you did not notice it : This fact had not escaped the attention of the authorities.
escape your attention
This fact had not escaped the attention of the authorities.4 something you do to repair or clean something :
repair/cleaning
[uncountable]5 things that you do to help or to take care of someone or something :
care
[uncountable]7
attention!
a) used to ask people to listen to important information that is being announced, especially on a loudspeaker (=piece of equipment used to make sounds louder) : Attention, please! Could Passenger Marie Thomas please proceed to Gate 25 immediately.
Attention, please! Could Passenger Marie Thomas please proceed to Gate 25 immediately.b) used when ordering a group of soldiers to stand up straight in neat lines
8TCM used on the front of an official letter when you want a particular person to read it or deal with it : Letters should be marked 'for the attention of Joe Benson'.
for the attention of somebody
Letters should be marked 'for the attention of Joe Benson'.