The difference between Listen and Obey

When used as verbs, listen means to pay attention to a sound or speech, whereas obey means to do as ordered by (a person, institution etc), to act according to the bidding of.


check bellow for the other definitions of Listen and Obey

  1. Listen as a verb (intransitive):

    To pay attention to a sound or speech.

    Examples:

    "Please listen carefully as I explain.  nowrap I like to listen to music."

  2. Listen as a verb (intransitive):

    To expect or wait for a sound, such as a signal.

    Examples:

    "You should listen for the starting gun."

  3. Listen as a verb (intransitive):

    To accept advice or obey instruction; to agree or assent.

    Examples:

    "'Listen, the only reason I yelled at you was because nowrap I was upset, OK?  nowrap Good children listen to their parents."

  4. Listen as a verb (transitive, archaic):

    To hear (something or someone), to pay attention to.

  1. Obey as a verb (transitive):

    To do as ordered by (a person, institution etc), to act according to the bidding of.

  2. Obey as a verb (intransitive):

    To do as one is told.

  3. Obey as a verb (obsolete, intransitive):

    To be obedient, compliant (to a given law, restriction etc.).