eavesdrop
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
-
water that drips from the eaves.
-
the ground on which such water falls.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of eavesdrop
before 900; (noun) Middle English evesdrope, evesdripe, Old English yfesdrype; as v., probably back formation from eavesdropper, late Middle English evisdroppyr, apparently literally, one who stands on the eavesdrop in order to listen to conversations inside the house; see eave, drop, drip
Explanation
When you eavesdrop, you secretly listen in on someone's conversation. A little girl might eavesdrop on her parents in an attempt to find out what she's getting for her birthday. Whenever you deliberately overhear a phone conversation, or two people having a quiet argument, you eavesdrop. You might eavesdrop on a funny exchange between two friends at a cafe, or eavesdrop on an important conversation between your boss and one of your coworkers. The verb eavesdrop comes from the old-fashioned noun eavesdropper, "one who listens from under the eaves," from the even more old-fashioned eavesdrop, "ground where rainwater drips off the roof."
Vocabulary lists containing eavesdrop
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The president sometimes messes with the reporters on the line or lets people around him eavesdrop on speakerphone.
From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026
A trade office allegedly helped to eavesdrop on Chinese dissidents.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026
Their ability to detect low-frequency sounds helps them eavesdrop on the mating calls of frogs.
From Science Daily • Nov. 1, 2025
Through his radio, Henry can eavesdrop on people in a way that’s not bound by time or space.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025
She knew better than to eavesdrop, yet once more it simply could not be helped, for the voices rang out strong and clear.
From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
