eavesdrop

verb

eaves·​drop ˈēvz-ˌdräp 

eavesdropped; eavesdropping; eavesdrops

intransitive verb

: to listen secretly to what is said in private

eavesdropper noun

Synonyms of eavesdrop

• listen in (on)
• monitor
• hear
• spy
• overhear

Examples of eavesdrop in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1985, Dutch researcher Wim van Eck showed that electromagnetic signals from video display units could be captured and decoded, raising the possibility of eavesdropping on what a screen displayed. — Chetan Jaiswal, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

Later, their tentative friendship turns into something more passionate — to the dismay of eavesdropping Asla, who realizes she is not the party Helge’s charm was aimed at. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026

Apple has updated its Beats Studio Buds wireless earbuds to patch a high-severity vulnerability that could be exploited by nearby hackers to eavesdrop on users. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 18 June 2026

These records are being used by insurers to literally eavesdrop on what is happening in the doctor’s office through the AI scribe. — Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2026

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

Rhymes for eavesdrop

• barbershop
• countertop
• lollipop
• mountaintop
• photoshop
• tabletop
• turboprop
• atop
• backdrop
• backstop
• bebop
• blacktop

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