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Eavesdropping: meaning, definitions and examples

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eavesdropping

 

[ ˈiːvzˌdrɒpɪŋ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

secretly listening

The practice of secretly listening to the private conversation of others without their consent.

Synonyms

listening in, snooping, spying

Examples of usage

  • He was caught eavesdropping on their conversation.
  • She overheard the gossip by eavesdropping on her coworkers.
  • The neighbors accused him of eavesdropping on their phone calls.
Context #2 | Verb

secretly listen

To listen secretly to the private conversation of others without their consent.

Synonyms

listen in, snoop, spy

Examples of usage

  • He was eavesdropping on the meeting next door.
  • She enjoys eavesdropping on strangers in public places.

Translations

Translations of the word "eavesdropping" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escuta clandestina

🇮🇳 सुनना

🇩🇪 Abhören

🇮🇩 menguping

🇺🇦 прослуховування

🇵🇱 podsłuchiwanie

🇯🇵 盗聴 (とうちょう)

🇫🇷 écoute clandestine

🇪🇸 escucha clandestina

🇹🇷 dinleme

🇰🇷 도청 (盜聽)

🇸🇦 التنصت

🇨🇿 odposlouchávání

🇸🇰 odpočúvanie

🇨🇳 窃听 (qiètīng)

🇸🇮 prisluškovanje

🇮🇸 hlustun

🇰🇿 тыңдау

🇬🇪 მოსმენა

🇦🇿 dinləmə

🇲🇽 escucha clandestina

Etymology

The term 'eavesdropping' originated from the Middle English word 'evesdrop', which literally means to stand within the 'eavesdrop' (the ground on which water drips from the eaves of a house) so as to overhear what is being said inside. Eavesdropping has been considered an invasion of privacy and a breach of confidentiality throughout history, with laws and regulations developed to protect individuals from being eavesdropped on.

See also: eavesdropper.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,975, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.