0%

eavesdropper

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 eavesdropper word

  • verb without object eavesdropper to listen secretly to a private conversation. 1
  • verb with object eavesdropper Archaic. to eavesdrop on. 1
  • noun eavesdropper water that drips from the eaves. 1
  • noun eavesdropper the ground on which such water falls. 1
  • noun eavesdropper One who eavesdrops. 1
  • noun eavesdropper person listening to private conversation 1
See all 6 definitions of eavesdropper

Information block about the term

Origin of eavesdropper

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 Eavesdropper

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Eavesdropper

eavesdropper 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.
According to our data about 59% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

eavesdropper usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for eavesdropper

noun eavesdropper

  • auditor — An auditor is an accountant who officially examines the accounts of organizations.
  • snoop — to prowl or pry; go about in a sneaking, prying way.
  • sleuth — a detective. Synonyms: investigator, private investigator; private eye, gumshoe, shamus.
  • wiretapper — a person who taps wires to learn the nature of messages passing over them.
  • hearer — to perceive by the ear: Didn't you hear the doorbell?
All 8 Synonyms of eavesdropper

Top questions with eavesdropper

  • what is eavesdropper?
  • what is an eavesdropper?

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?