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

Someone leaks it, someone eavesdrops. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

Leavitt claimed that reporters were eavesdropping and spying on her team during an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of Pod Force One with Miranda Devine. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 23 Nov. 2025

Unlike, say, the wearable AI device known as Friend — designed to eavesdrop on your life and offer up sometimes upsetting commentary — the Moflin doesn’t talk. —Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025

There is no wireless signal to hijack, no airwaves to eavesdrop on. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025

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
• overtop
• photoshop
• tabletop
• turboprop
• atop
• backdrop
• backstop
• bebop

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