eavesdrop

Meaning

Verb

1. (ambitransitive) To hear (intentionally) a conversation one is not intended to hear; to listen in.
2. To listen for another organism's calls, so as to exploit them.

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) The dripping of rain from the eaves of a house.
2. (countable, uncountable) The space around a house on which such water drips.
3. (countable) A concealed aperture through which an occupant of a building can surreptitiously listen to people talking at an entrance to the building.
4. (countable) The act of intentionally hearing a conversation not intended to be heard.

Synonyms

overhear

wiretap

listen in

bug

🐛

monitor

tap

listen

intercept

eavesdrip

spy

play the eavesdropper

listen secretly

Translations

origliare

lauschen

afluisteren

κρυφακούω

horchen

sgocciolatoio

αφουγκράζομαι

abhören

chéneau

belauschen

écouter en cachette

être

écouter

être aux écoutes

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈiːvzˌdɹɒp/

Etymology

From eaves + drop; the "listening" sense derives from the notion of the listener standing in the area denoted by the physical sense.