attention
noun
act of watching/listening/showing interest
ADJ. full, rapt, undivided They listened with rapt attention.| assiduous, careful, close, meticulous, scrupulous | scant Policy-makers paid scant attention to the wider issues.| urgent | special | unwanted, unwelcome | international, media, public
VERB + ATTENTION devote, direct, give (sb/sth), pay, turn How many times do I have to ask you to pay attention? He had a cup of tea and then turned his attention to the report.| get, have, receive Can I have your attention, please? These poems have received a lot of critical attention.| attract, call, capture, catch, command, compel, draw, excite, grab I tried to attract the waiter's attention. Wherever he goes, he commands attention. She doesn't like to draw attention to her illness.| deflect, distract, divert, draw The government is trying to divert attention away from the economy.| hold, keep, rivet There was something in the way he spoke that riveted her attention.| concentrate, confine, focus In this chapter we shall confine our attention to non-renewable energy sources.| refocus, transfer The firm decided to refocus its attention back onto its traditional strengths and expertise.| deserve, need, require a matter requiring urgent attention| jostle for, vie for dozens of concerns jostling for your attention She was surrounded by men all vying for her attention.| repay an interesting essay that repays close attention| bring sth to My boss was grateful that I had brought the matter to his attention.| come to | avoid, escape Her primary aim was to avoid the attentions of the newspapers.
ATTENTION + VERB focus Media attention focused today on the prince's business affairs.| wander I felt my attention wandering during the lecture.
ATTENTION + NOUN span
PREP. for sb's ~, for the ~ of a letter for the attention of your doctor
PHRASES attention to detail He is a designer known for his meticulous attention to detail.| care and attention He was convicted of driving without due care and attention.| the centre of attention Some children love being the centre of attention.| the focus of attention The focus of attention must now be how to improve the economy.| force your attentions on sb A man like Luke had no need to force his attentions on unwilling women.| not pay much attention to sth, pay little/no attention to sth (= not take something very seriously) Pay no attention to what Bill said?he's a complete liar!
care
ADJ. constant | individual, personal, special The child needs special attention.| medical
VERB + ATTENTION devote, give, lavish He devoted all his attention to his mother. She lavishes attention on those silly little dogs.| be in need of, need, require, want a patient requiring attention
