Heed
hiːd
Definitions
2 meaningsTo pay attention to and take notice of something; to consider something important and act accordingly.
hiːd
To pay attention to and take notice of.
The student decided to heed her teacher's instructions.
💡 Simply: Heed means to listen carefully and follow advice or warnings. Like when your mom tells you to be careful crossing the street – you should heed her advice! If the weather forecast says it will rain, and you heed the warning, you'll take your umbrella.
👶 For kids: To listen to someone and do what they say.
More Examples
You should heed the advice of experienced professionals.
He failed to heed the warnings and suffered the consequences.
How It's Used
"The government must heed the warnings of scientists regarding climate change."
"He urged his colleagues to heed the advice of the consultants."
Careful attention or notice; the act of paying attention.
hiːd
Careful attention or notice.
The driver was advised to give heed to the road conditions.
💡 Simply: Heed, as a noun, is like giving something your full attention. When you're working on a puzzle, you're giving it your heed! When the teacher is talking, you should give her your heed!
👶 For kids: When you pay attention to someone or something.
More Examples
He paid no heed to his parents' warnings.
The audience gave heed to the speaker's important message.
How It's Used
"They gave heed to the old prophet's words."
"The officer took heed of the impending danger."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
take heed
To pay attention and be careful or cautious.
"Take heed when you're walking at night."
heedless of
Ignoring or not paying attention to.
"He was heedless of the danger."
From Old English *hēdan* 'to pay attention to, observe'. Related to *hēd* 'attention, care'.
Commonly used in older literature and formal writing to emphasize the importance of paying attention.
Memory tip
Think of 'heed' as 'hear the need'. Pay attention to the need.
Word Origin
"to pay attention, observe"