Eavesdrop

B2 16+

Pronunciation: /ˈivzˌdrɑp/

Definitions of eavesdrop

noun a person who secretly listens to the private conversations of others

Example Sentences

A1 I don't like it when people eavesdrop on my conversations.

A2 She was caught eavesdropping on her sister's phone call.

B1 Eavesdropping is considered rude in many cultures.

B2 The spy was skilled at eavesdropping on enemy communications.

C1 The journalist was accused of eavesdropping on private conversations for a story.

C2 Eavesdropping on sensitive government information is a serious offense.

verb to listen secretly to the private conversations of others

Example Sentences

A1 I saw my neighbor eavesdrop on our conversation.

A2 She likes to eavesdrop on her coworkers during lunch break.

B1 The detective decided to eavesdrop on the suspect's phone calls.

B2 It is considered rude to eavesdrop on private conversations.

C1 The journalist was caught eavesdropping on a confidential meeting.

C2 He was able to gather important information by eavesdropping on the enemy's communications.

Examples of eavesdrop in a Sentence

formal It is considered impolite to eavesdrop on private conversations.

informal I couldn't help but eavesdrop on their conversation at the coffee shop.

slang I saw you trying to eavesdrop on us, you nosy parker!

figurative Sometimes it feels like the walls have ears and are eavesdropping on our every word.

Grammatical Forms of eavesdrop

past tense

eavesdropped

plural

eavesdroppers

comparative

more eavesdropping

superlative

most eavesdropping

present tense

eavesdrops

future tense

will eavesdrop

perfect tense

has eavesdropped

continuous tense

is eavesdropping

singular

eavesdropper

positive degree

eavesdrop

infinitive

to eavesdrop

gerund

eavesdropping

participle

eavesdropped

Origin and Evolution of eavesdrop

First Known Use: 1600 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'eavesdrop' originated from the Old English word 'efesdrype', which literally means 'a place where water drips off the eaves of a house.'
Evolution of the word: Over time, the meaning of 'eavesdrop' evolved to refer to listening secretly to a conversation, especially from a hidden location near the speakers.