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

On July 24, the city accused LINXS of eavesdropping on a confidential conversation between a city consultant and a city lawyer, ostensibly regarding the city’s litigation strategy. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Flores, 43, had previously pleaded not guilty to 16 felony counts of eavesdropping on or recording confidential communications. — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Daniel Flores, 43, was charged with 16 felony counts of eavesdropping on or recording confidential communications, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office announced on July 31. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026

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

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