# snoop

/ˈsnup/ (US) · /snˈuːp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/snoop
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to spy or investigate privately

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to look through someone's private things or watch them secretly to find out information.

For teachers: to investigate or spy on the private lives or belongings of others, typically without permission.

- I caught my sister snooping around my bedroom looking for my diary.
- Journalists were accused of snooping into the celebrity's private medical records to find a headline for the Sunday edition.

Usage: Often used with the prepositions 'around', 'in', or 'into'.

### 2. a person who spies

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person who secretly looks for information about others.

For teachers: a person who habitually prys into the affairs of others; a meddler.

- The old man next door is a bit of a snoop who watches everyone from his window.
- The office snoop was eventually reprimanded after being caught reading confidential memos left on the manager's desk.

### 3. the act of spying

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

an act of looking around secretly to find something out.

For teachers: an instance or act of snooping or prying.

- I had a quick snoop in the fridge to see if there was any cake left.
- After a thorough snoop through the archives, the researcher discovered a letter that changed the entire historical narrative.

## Examples

- I caught him trying to snoop through my desk drawers.
- She decided to snoop around the office after everyone had left to see if she could find the secret files.
- While some view the new security software as a necessary precaution, others argue it allows the administration to snoop on private employee communications without just cause.

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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.