# eavesdropping

/ˈivzˌdɹɑpɪŋ/ (US) · /ˈiːvzdɹɒpɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/eavesdropping
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

to listen secretly to a private conversation without the people talking knowing you are there. You do this to find out a secret or a surprise.

For teachers: to listen to a private conversation without the knowledge of the participants. Often used in the context of espionage or casual social observation.

## Examples

- He was caught eavesdropping on his neighbor's phone call.
- The detective spent weeks eavesdropping on the suspects to gather enough evidence for the trial.
- While professional eavesdropping is a serious crime, casual observers often do it to catch a glimpse of private conversations in public spaces.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.