snoop

American  

[snoop] / snup /

verb (used without object)

1. to prowl or pry; go about in a sneaking, prying way.

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noun

1. an act or instance of snooping.

2. a person who snoops.

3. a private detective.

snoop British  

/ snuːp /

verb

1. (intr; often foll by about or around) to pry into the private business of others

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noun

1. a person who pries into the business of others

2. an act or instance of snooping

Other Word Forms

• snooper noun
• snoopy adjective

Etymology

Origin of snoop

1825–35, < Dutch snoepen to take and eat food on the sly

Example Sentences

You are likely to connect to public Wi-Fi in airports, hotels and cafes, and encrypted connections are crucial for protecting personal data and preventing snooping.

From Salon

Camryn Smith and her daughter showed up to snoop around for the deals at the Americana at Brand in Glendale early Friday morning.

From Los Angeles Times

“Miss Lumley. Your snooping or mail delivering or whatever it was seems to have been a bit of bad luck, for both of us. Now my little secret is out.”

From Literature

I went snooping around to find out what they were up to.

From Literature

Isn’t the whole uproar over Mr. Smith’s snooping on senators’ phone records a “tempest and teapot” given he had to follow rules?

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• intrude
• peep