Paying attention is an important skill that involves being AWARE of one's surroundings and actively LISTENING to what is being said. HEEDFUL, LISTENING, OBSERVANT, ALERT, AWARE, ALLEARS, and ONONESTOES are all words that can be used to describe someone who is paying attention. HEEDFUL means to be mindful or cautious, LISTENING implies actively hearing what is being said, OBSERVANT means to be watchful or OBSERVANT, ALERT suggests being quick to notice something, AWARE implies having knowledge of a situation, ALLEARS implies being attentive, and ONONESTOES suggests being honest and sincere.