heed
heed — verb
1. To deliberately listen to or think carefully about what someone says — especiall
To deliberately listen to or think carefully about what someone says — especially a piece of advice, a warning, or an instruction — and then let that guide your actions.
Amihan heeded the lifeguard's warning and did not swim out too far.
heed + warning — formal equivalent of 'pay attention to'
The mayor's office finally heeded the residents' complaints about the broken streetlights.
Gabriel's parents advised him to study harder, but he did not heed their words.
If you heed the safety instructions on the label, you will avoid accidents in the lab.
The committee heeded the coach's suggestion and changed the training schedule.
- pay attention to
less formal; the everyday equivalent for most situations
- listen to
implies hearing and considering; slightly less formal than 'heed'
- follow
specifically means to act on advice; common in instructions ('follow the rules')
- take notice of
suggests becoming aware; weaker than 'heed' in implying action
文法句型
heed + noun phrase (advice / warning / words)
用法筆記
Used in formal or literary contexts. In everyday conversation, 'pay attention to' or 'listen to' is more common. The object is typically advice, a warning, instructions, words, or a suggestion — not general sensory input (❌ 'heed the music').
常見錯誤
heed — noun
1. The quality of giving close attention to what someone says, especially to advice
The quality of giving close attention to what someone says, especially to advice, warnings, or instructions, often with the idea of acting on what you learn.
Layla took heed of her grandmother's stories about growing up during the war.
take heed of — most common collocation
The company paid little heed to the environmental concerns raised by local activists.
pay heed to — usually in negative contexts
Hugo's boss told him to pay heed to the details in the contract before signing it.
Min gave no heed to the gossip spreading around the office.
Visitors must take heed of the park rules posted at the main entrance.
文法句型
take heed of
pay heed to
give heed to
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed expressions 'take heed (of)', 'pay heed (to)', or 'give heed (to)'. 'Take heed' is the most frequent and can be used as an imperative: 'Take heed!' The noun is uncountable — you cannot say 'a heed' or 'heeds'.