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eavesdrop

eaves·drop
E e

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [eevz-drop]
    • /ˈivzˌdrɒp/
    • /ˈiːvz.drɒp/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [eevz-drop]
    • /ˈivzˌdrɒp/

Definitions of eavesdrop word

  • verb without object eavesdrop to listen secretly to a private conversation. 1
  • verb with object eavesdrop Archaic. to eavesdrop on. 1
  • noun eavesdrop water that drips from the eaves. 1
  • noun eavesdrop the ground on which such water falls. 1
  • noun eavesdrop Secretly listen to a conversation. 1
  • intransitive verb eavesdrop listen secretly 1

Information block about the term

Origin of eavesdrop

First appearance:

before 900
One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; (noun) Middle English evesdrope, evesdripe, Old English yfesdrype; as v., probably back formation from eavesdropper, late Middle English evisdroppyr, apparently literally, one who stands on the eavesdrop in order to listen to conversations inside the house; see eave, drop, drip

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Eavesdrop

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

eavesdrop popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 65% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

eavesdrop usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for eavesdrop

verb eavesdrop

  • snoop — to prowl or pry; go about in a sneaking, prying way.
  • spy — a person employed by a government to obtain secret information or intelligence about another, usually hostile, country, especially with reference to military or naval affairs.
  • wire — a slender, stringlike piece or filament of relatively rigid or flexible metal, usually circular in section, manufactured in a great variety of diameters and metals depending on its application.
  • tap — Telocator Alphanumeric Protocol
  • monitor — (especially formerly) a student appointed to assist in the conduct of a class or school, as to help take attendance or keep order.

Antonyms for eavesdrop

verb eavesdrop

  • ignore — to refrain from noticing or recognizing: to ignore insulting remarks.

Top questions with eavesdrop

  • what does eavesdrop mean?
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  • people who eavesdrop?
  • what is eavesdrop?
  • how to eavesdrop on wifi?
  • why do people eavesdrop?
  • how to eavesdrop on a cell phone?

See also

Matching words

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