An active listener is someone who pays close attention to the speaker and shows a genuine interest in understanding their message. Instead of just hearing words, they actively engage with the speaker through various nonverbal cues and questions to gain a full understanding of what they're saying. There are several different words that can be used as synonyms for active listener, such as attentive listener, engaged listener, empathetic listener, and focused listener. All of these words highlight the importance of actively participating in a conversation to truly comprehend the speaker's perspective and communicate more effectively. In a world where communication is becoming increasingly important, being recognized as an active listener is an essential skill in building stronger relationships and understanding others more deeply.