listen in

verb

listened in; listening in; listens in

intransitive verb

1

: to tune in to or monitor a broadcast

2

: to listen to a conversation without participating in it

especially : eavesdrop

listener-in

ˌli-sᵊn-ər-ˈin 

ˌlis-nər-

noun

Synonyms of listen in

• eavesdrop (on)
• hear
• monitor
• spy
• overhear

Examples of listen in in a Sentence

it's not polite to listen in on other people's private conversations

Recent Examples on the Web

Labor Day Earbuds Deals Apple's redesigned AirPods 4 bring meaningful upgrades to everyday listening in a refined open-ear design. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026

These kids may have trouble listening in school if there is nothing to put their hands on. — Elisa Cinelli, Parents, 8 Sep. 2026

Someone else, some government spy, almost always is listening in. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026

The crowd listened in silence as the Polynesians, wearing blue fire uniforms, sang a Tahitian hymn in harmony while two of them strummed ukuleles. — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

listen in

verb

1

: to listen to a broadcast

2

: eavesdrop