Eavesdropper: meaning, definitions and examples

An eavesdropper is someone who listens to other people's conversations without their permission. Often used in situations where the person does this secretly to learn information.

• She felt the presence of an eavesdropper behind the door
• The eavesdropper learned about their secret plan

A snoop is someone who looks into other people's private affairs or searches for hidden information in a sneaky or nosy manner. This term often carries a negative connotation.

• Stop being such a snoop and respect my privacy! The snoop got caught trying to read her diary

A spy is someone who secretly collects information about others, often used in the context of espionage or undercover activities. This term can be used in both a professional and a negative sense.

• He was trained to be a spy for the government
• They suspected there was a spy among them leaking information

A listener is someone who listens attentively, often used in a neutral or positive context, referring to someone who pays attention to what others are saying.

• She is a great listener and always helps me by giving good advice
• He was one of the attentive listeners in the audience