attention

Word family  noun attention attendant attentiveness ≠ inattentiveness adjective attentive ≠ inattentive verb attend adverb attentively ≠ inattentively

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++at·ten·tion /əˈtenʃən/ ●●● S2 W1 noun  1  listen/look/think carefully 认真地听/看/思考 [uncountable] when you carefully listen to, look at, or think about someone or something 注意，专心，留心 My attention wasn’t really on the game. 我的注意力其实不在比赛上。 She tried to pay attention to what he was saying. 她尽量注意听他说话。 If you paid more attention in class, you might actually learn something! 要是你上课更认真些，也许能实实在在地学到些东西！ Scott sat down at his desk and turned his attention to the file he had in front of him. 斯科特在自己的办公桌前坐下，将注意力转向面前的文件。 As a society we need to give more attention to the needs of older people. 生活在同一社会里，我们得更加关注长者的需求。 Now he’s gone, I can give you my undivided attention. 现在他已经走了，我可以把全部注意力都放在你身上。 This game is fun and is sure to keep the attention of any young student. 这个游戏很有趣，一定能使年幼学生保持注意力。 They listened to the speech with close attention. 他们很认真地听演讲。 Attention to detail is essential in this job. 关注细节是这份工作所必需的。 During the lecture Sarah’s attention began to wander. 上课时，萨拉开始走神了。2  INTERESTinterest 兴趣 [plural, uncountable]ATTENTION the interest that people show in someone or something 兴趣；关心，关注 She was flattered by all the attention he was giving her. 他的关注让她喜不自胜。attract/receive/enjoy attention a player who quickly attracted the attention of several clubs 一名很快就吸引了数家俱乐部注意的球员 The exhibition received little attention in the press. 展览几乎没有得到媒体的关注。public/media/press attention Her case attracted a great deal of media attention. 她的案件吸引了媒体的大量关注。hold/keep somebody’s attention (=make someone stay interested and keep reading, listening, watching etc) 保持某人的注意力 The book holds the reader’s attention right to the very end. 这本书从头到尾都吸引着读者的注意力。 Rob loves being the centre of attention (=the person who everyone is interested in, listens to etc). 罗布喜欢成为关注的焦点。 She spent a lot of time trying to avoid the attentions (=romantic interest) of her boss. 她想方设法躲避老板的殷勤之举。 The man then turned his attentions to (=became romantically interested in) her sister. 那个男人后来又开始向她妹妹献殷勤。3  MAKE somebody NOTICEnotice 注意 a) attract/catch/get somebody’s attentionATTENTION to make someone notice you, especially because you want to speak to them or you need their help 吸引/引起/得到某人的注意 She waved to attract the attention of the waitress. 她挥手以吸引女服务员的注意。 b) get attentionATTENTION to make someone notice you and be interested in what you are doing 引人注目 Children often misbehave in order to get attention. 小孩子捣蛋往往是想引起注意。 c) draw/call attention to something (also focus attention on something)ATTENTION to make people notice and be concerned or think about something 使人们关注某事 The purpose of the article was to draw attention to the problems faced by single parents. 这篇文章的目的是让人们关注单身父母面临的问题。 We wanted to focus public attention on this matter. 我们想让公众关注这件事。 He left quietly to avoid drawing attention to himself. 他悄悄离开，避免引起别人的注意。 d) divert/distract/draw attention from somethingATTENTION to make people stop being concerned about something such as a social problem 转移人们对某事的注意力 All this talk of war is just an attempt to draw attention away from the serious economic problems that face our country. 这一切有关战争的讨论只是为了把人们的注意力从我们国家面临的严重经济问题上转移开去。 e) bring something to somebody’s attentionATTENTION to tell someone, especially someone in authority, about something such as a problem 使某事引起某人注意 The matter was first brought to my attention earlier this year. 今年早些时候，这个问题第一次引起了我的注意。 f) come to somebody’s attentionFIND OUT if something such as a problem comes to the attention of someone in authority, they find out about it 吸引某人的注意力 It came to my attention that Jenny was claiming overtime pay for hours she had not worked. 我发现珍妮没有加班却在申请加班费。 g) escape your attention if something escaped your attention, you did not notice it 躲过你的注意力 This fact had not escaped the attention of the authorities. 这个事实没能逃过当局的眼睛。4  repair/cleaning 修理/清洁 [uncountable] something you do to repair or clean something 维修；保养 The bike’s in fairly good condition, but the gears need a bit of attention. 这辆自行车车况还不错，但是变速器得稍作修理。5  care 关心CARE [uncountable]HELP things that you do to help or to take care of someone or something 照顾 Pets need a lot of care and attention. 宠物需要很多的关心和照顾。 Anyone who comes into contact with these chemicals should seek urgent medical attention. 接触这些化学品的人应当立即就医。 Your plants look like they could do with a bit of attention. 你种的花花草草看来需要打理了。6. stand to/at attention STANDif soldiers stand to attention, they stand up straight in neat lines 〔士兵〕立正n7. → attention!8  for the attention of somebody used on the front of an official letter when you want a particular person to read it or deal with it 谨呈某人；某人亲启 Letters should be marked ‘for the attention of Joe Benson’. 信上应该写“乔·本森亲启”。n COLLOCATIONSverbspay attention to something/somebodyHe read the final page, paying particular attention to the last paragraph.turn your attention to something/somebodyShe quickly put away the shopping and then turned her attention to preparing dinner.give something/somebody your attention (=think about something or someone so that you can deal with a problem)She promised to give the matter her attention the next day.somebody’s attention wanders (=someone stops listening, watching etc carefully)During the service, her mind began to wander.adjectivessomebody’s full/complete/undivided attentionHe gave the task his undivided attention.n THESAURUSpay attention to carefully listen to, look at, or think about something or someoneShe told the class to stop talking and pay attention.In any relationship, it helps to pay attention to each other’s needs.concentrate to think carefully about something that you are doing and not let other things disturb your thoughtsI tried to read a few pages, but I was too upset to concentrate.Children need their own quiet space where they can concentrate on their homework.keep your mind on something to continue to pay attention to something, especially when you are very excited or worried about something elseOn Friday, the day of the party, I had a dreadful time keeping my mind on my work.Good football players keep their minds on the game at all times.keep your eyes on something to keep watching something carefully, so that you do not make any mistakesThe first rule of driving is to keep your eyes on the road. Keep your eyes on the ball – now swing!be engrossed in something to be paying so much attention to a book, a conversation, some work etc, that you do not notice what is happening around youHelen was sitting up in bed, engrossed in a novel.He was so engrossed in what he was doing he didn’t even hear the doorbell ring.be absorbed in something to be giving all your attention to something, especially something you are reading, watching, or thinking aboutThe little boy sat at the edge of the pond, totally absorbed in watching the fish.He was a quiet man who often seemed to be absorbed in his own thoughts.Matilda was curled up in an armchair, absorbed in a book.give something/somebody your undivided attention to give all your attention to something or someone and not do anything else – used especially when this is something you want or need to doCome round when the kids are in bed so I can give you my undivided attention.Once I’ve finished my exams, I’ll be able to give my undivided attention to looking for a job.

Examples from the Corpus

attention• Attention to customers is increasingly important.• Ron Deacon is adoptive father to five love bird chicks, who need constant care and attention.• Pets need a lot of care and attention.• Nobody was paying any attention to me up there.• The project seeks to combine attention to economics and the human advantages of the redesigning of work.• The rig change often deserves the greatest attention.• The intense media attention surrounding the case, has made it very difficult for the family to cope.• Snake bites require immediate medical attention.• Grease the bike's chain and any other areas that need attention.• He had wanted to be the center of attention, and he was.• Scant public attention has greeted the arrival of the children.• Your plant looks like it needs some attention.• Jerry loves the attention he gets when he's performing• When people do read longer works, they primarily favor high-drama novels that get a steel grip on their attention.attention ... wander• Wickham had heard all this before and his attention wandered.• The staff would provide him with toys to amuse himself with when his attention began to wander.• During the sermon Sarah's attention wandered.• But then, it seems, their attention wandered.• When you are having a telephone conversation you are more likely to be distracted and let your attention wander.turned his attentions to• It certainly threw Quigley, because he turned his attentions to me.need ... attention• Far from being restful they are very demanding, needing almost constant attention.• But none have needed this much attention, never leaving his side even at work, much to the delight of colleagues.• Marines need special attention to water quality.• She said she later felt badly about calling 911, because she did not believe the matter needed police attention.• The Beaumaris and District Civic Trust has highlighted problems which it says need attention.• She has an important test next year, and she needs to pay attention.• Like all elderly ladies, however, she needs polite attention.• Some of them needed urgent medical attention.medical attention• Defence lawyers claimed that several injured defendants had been denied medical attention and that many others had been tortured while in custody.• This went on for 13 months until my parents realised that I needed medical attention.• Despite her need of medical attention, the night was young and there was still time to celebrate.• Doctors say she will need years of medical attention.• He suffers from chronic back pain and clinical depression, conditions for which he is reportedly no received medical attention.• We asked patients to return to the study clinic if they required medical attention between scheduled study visits.• Astonishingly, only about 50 percent will actually seek medical attention.• Authorities fear the girl will attempt to bear the child without medical attention.nattention!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) 注意！〔尤用于扩音器播放重要通知时〕 Attention, please! Could passenger Marie Thomas please proceed to Gate 25 immediately. 请注意！乘客玛丽·托马斯请立刻前往25号登机口。 b) used when ordering a group of soldiers to stand up straight in neat lines 立正！〔军队口令〕From Longman Business Dictionaryattentionat‧ten‧tion /əˈtenʃən/ noun for the attention of written abbreviation FAO written on the front or at the top of a letter when you want a particular person to read it or deal with itfor the attention of the managerOrigin attention (1300-1400) Latin attentio, from attendere; → ATTEND

at·ten·tion noun →n COLLOCATIONS1 →n THESAURUS1attention!LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable  

Corpus look when carefully listen Business to, at, you

attention
at‧ten‧tion S2 W1 /əˈtenʃən/ noun1.  LISTEN/LOOK/THINK CAREFULLY  [uncountable] when you carefully listen to, look at, or think about someone or something:
    My attention wasn’t really on the game.
    She tried to pay attention to what he was saying.
    If you paid more attention in class, you might actually learn something!
    Scott sat down at his desk and turned his attention to the file he had in front of him.
    As a society we need to give more attention to the needs of older people.
    Now he’s gone, I can give you my undivided attention.
    This game is fun and is sure to keep the attention of any young student.
    They listened to the speech with close attention.
    Attention to detail is essential in this job.
    During the lecture Sarah’s attention began to wander.
2.  INTEREST  [plural, uncountable] the interest that people show in someone or something:
    She was flattered by all the attention he was giving her.
    attract/receive/enjoy attention
    a player who quickly attracted the attention of several clubs
    The exhibition received little attention in the press.
    public/media/press attention
    Her case attracted a great deal of media attention.
    hold/keep sb’s attention (=make someone stay interested and keep reading, listening, watching etc)
    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.
    The man then turned his attentions to (=became romantically interested in) her sister.
3.  NOTICE
  a. attract/catch/get sb’s attention 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.
  b. get attention to make someone notice you and be interested in what you are doing:
    Children often misbehave in order to get attention.
  c. draw/call attention to something (also focus attention on something) 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.
  d. divert/distract/draw attention from something 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.
  e. bring something to sb’s attention to tell someone, especially someone in authority, about something such as a problem:
    The matter was first brought to my attention earlier this year.
  f. come to sb’s attention 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.
  g. escape your attention if something escaped your attention, you did not notice it:
    This fact had not escaped the attention of the authorities.
4.  REPAIR/CLEANING  [uncountable] something you do to repair or clean something:
    The bike’s in fairly good condition, but the gears need a bit of attention.
5.  CARE  [uncountable] things that you do to help or to take care of someone or something:
    Pets need a lot of care and attention.
    Anyone who comes into contact with these chemicals should seek urgent medical attention.
    Your plants look like they could do with a bit of attention.
6. stand to/at attention if soldiers stand to attention, they stand up straight in neat lines
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.
  b. used when ordering a group of soldiers to stand up straight in neat lines
8. for the attention of somebody 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’.
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ verbs
   ▪ pay attention to something/somebody He read the final page, paying particular attention to the last paragraph.
   ▪ turn your attention to something/somebody She quickly put away the shopping and then turned her attention to preparing dinner.
   ▪ give something/somebody your attention (=think about something/somebody so that you can deal with a problem) She promised to give the matter her attention the next day.
   ▪ sb’s attention wanders (=somebody stops listening, watching etc carefully) During the service, her mind began to wander.
■ adjectives
   ▪ sb’s full/complete/undivided attention He gave the task his undivided attention.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ pay attention to carefully listen to, look at, or think about something or someone: She told the class to stop talking and pay attention. | In any relationship, it helps to pay attention to each other’s needs.
   ▪ concentrate to think carefully about something that you are doing and not let other things disturb your thoughts: I tried to read a few pages, but I was too upset to concentrate. | Children need their own quiet space where they can concentrate on their homework.
   ▪ keep your mind on something to continue to pay attention to something, especially when you are very excited or worried about something else: On Friday, the day of the party, I had a dreadful time keeping my mind on my work. | Good football players keep their minds on the game at all times.
   ▪ keep your eyes on something to keep watching something carefully, so that you do not make any mistakes: The first rule of driving is to keep your eyes on the road. | Keep your eyes on the ball – now swing!
   ▪ be engrossed in something to be paying so much attention to a book, a conversation, some work etc, that you do not notice what is happening around you: Helen was sitting up in bed, engrossed in a novel. | He was so engrossed in what he was doing he didn’t even hear the doorbell ring.
   ▪ be absorbed in something to be giving all your attention to something, especially something you are reading, watching, or thinking about: The little boy sat at the edge of the pond, totally absorbed in watching the fish. | He was a quiet man who often seemed to be absorbed in his own thoughts. | Matilda was curled up in an armchair, absorbed in a book.
   ▪ give something/somebody your undivided attention to give all your attention to something or someone and not do anything else – used especially when this is something you want or need to do: Come round when the kids are in bed so I can give you my undivided attention. | Once I’ve finished my exams, I’ll be able to give my undivided attention to looking for a job.