WordGarden.ioeavesdrop
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈiːvzdrɒp/
US
- /ˈivzˌdrɑp/
Meanings
Verb
to secretly listen to a private conversation
to secretly intercept or monitor digital communications
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're standing in a hallway and hear your friends whispering about a surprise party for you. That is what this word is about. It means secretly listening to a private conversation that is not meant for you. Sometimes it happens by chance, but usually it suggests curiosity and a clear choice to listen in. It often brings to mind someone quietly trying to catch every word without being noticed. A classic example is a spy listening to a villain's secret plan.
To eavesdrop means to intentionally and secretly listen to the private conversations of others without their consent. It is more pointed than simply "overhearing"; eavesdropping implies an active, though subtle, effort to catch details not meant for you. The word conjures images of someone straining to hear through a thin wall or hovering near a hushed discussion.
The origin of the word is fascinatingly literal. It comes from the Old English yfesdrype, referring to the "eaves-drip"—the patch of ground where rainwater falls from the eaves of a roof. Historically, an "eavesdropper" was someone who stood within the eaves-drip of a house to listen to what was happening inside!
Today, eavesdropping isn't limited to standing nearby. In the digital age, the term can also extend to electronic surveillance, such as wiretapping or gaining access to private communications, which often carries legal consequences.
While sometimes portrayed playfully in fiction ("She couldn't help but eavesdrop on the juicy gossip"), it is generally considered a breach of trust and can damage relationships. Whether it involves a Victorian-era spy behind a curtain or a modern-day hacker, eavesdropping is fundamentally about hearing what was intended to stay private.
Examples
- 1
Accidental listening
I didn't mean to eavesdrop on their conversation, but they were speaking so loudly.
- 2
Workplace secrecy
He was caught eavesdropping outside the manager's office.
- Patterncaught + -ing
discovered while doing something
- 3
Family privacy
She waited until the children were asleep before talking, so they couldn't eavesdrop on the argument.
- 4
Smart devices
Some people worry that smart devices are eavesdropping on them.
- Usage
Eavesdrop can also describe technology that seems to listen secretly.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- respect privacy
- ask directly
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- eavesdrop on someone
- eavesdrop on a conversation
- caught eavesdropping
Word family
Explore
- surveillance
- privacy invasion
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- eavesdropverb
Forms
- eavesdropping-ing formverb
- eavesdroppedpast tenseverb
- eavesdropsverb