eavesdrop

verb

eaves·​drop ˈēvz-ˌdräp 

eavesdropped; eavesdropping; eavesdrops

intransitive verb

: to listen secretly to what is said in private

eavesdropper noun

Synonyms

• listen in (on)
• overhear

Examples of eavesdrop in a Sentence

a nosy traveler who likes to eavesdrop on his fellow airline passengers

Recent Examples on the Web

Looking around the restaurant patio at the Chateau Marmont, populated by folks famous and fame-adjacent, some whispering, others talking at a volume that seems less an invitation than a demand to eavesdrop, the filmmaker shakes his head and smiles. —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024

Diehard fans, the Robbie-curious and those who love to eavesdrop on therapy sessions, however, will adore it. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Dec. 2024

Wiretap orders issued under the 702 program permit the government to secretly eavesdrop on the calls and messages of foreigners, who generally lack any right to privacy under US law. —Dell Cameron, WIRED, 18 Dec. 2024

These keys are highly resistant to interception because any attempt to eavesdrop on a quantum key transmission will alter the data, alerting both parties to the presence of an intruder. —John Prisco, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from eavesdropper, literally, one standing under the drip from the eaves

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

eavesdrop

verb

eaves·​drop ˈēvz-ˌdräp 

: to listen secretly to private conversation

eavesdropper noun

Legal Definition

eavesdrop

intransitive verb

eaves·​drop

eavesdropped; eavesdropping

: to listen secretly to what is being said in private without the consent of the speaker compare bug, wiretap

eavesdropper noun