eavesdrop

American  

[eevz-drop] / ˈivzˌdrɒp /

verb (used without object)

eavesdropped, eavesdropping

1. to listen secretly to a private conversation.

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verb (used with object)

eavesdropped, eavesdropping

1. Archaic. to eavesdrop on.

noun

1. water that drips from the eaves.

2. the ground on which such water falls.

eavesdrop British  

/ ˈiːvzˌdrɒp /

verb

1. (intr) to listen secretly to the private conversation of others

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Other Word Forms

• antieavesdropping adjective
• eavesdropper noun

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; eave, drop, drip

Example Sentences

I sit, realizing she must’ve been eavesdropping on my conversation with Ben on the plane.

From Literature

Mom turned the water back on and that was the end of my eavesdropping.

From Literature

A trade office allegedly helped to eavesdrop on Chinese dissidents.

From The Wall Street Journal

A trade office allegedly helped to eavesdrop on Chinese dissidents.

From The Wall Street Journal

A trade office allegedly helped to eavesdrop on Chinese dissidents.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• listen in
• overhear
• snoop