Heed

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Heed

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

verb and noun

Pronunciation

heed  /hiːd/

Definition

As a verb: to pay careful attention to; to take notice of; to follow the advice or warning of. As a noun: careful attention; notice. Most commonly in the phrases 'take heed' and 'pay heed'.

Plain meaning

To heed means to carefully listen to and act upon a warning, piece of advice, or instruction. If you heed a warning, you take it seriously and change your behaviour accordingly. Take heed means pay attention. Heed his words means listen carefully and act on what he says.

Register

Slightly formal or literary. Heed is more elevated than listen or pay attention, and is typically used in contexts where the importance of the attention is being emphasised. Take heed and heed the warning are standard in journalistic, political, and formal speech. The word has a biblical and literary resonance.