Peeping Tom

Pronunciation: /ˈpipɪŋ tɑm/

Definitions of peeping tom

noun A person who derives pleasure from observing the intimate or private activities of others.

Example Sentences

A1 A peeping tom is someone who secretly watches people without their permission.

A2 The neighbors suspected there was a peeping tom in the area after seeing strange shadows outside their windows.

B1 The police caught a peeping tom lurking around the neighborhood and warned him to stay away from private properties.

B2 The peeping tom was arrested for invasion of privacy and faced serious legal consequences for his actions.

C1 The community installed security cameras to prevent any incidents of peeping toms in the area.

C2 The notorious peeping tom was finally apprehended after years of eluding the authorities.

Examples of peeping tom in a Sentence

formal The authorities were alerted to the presence of a peeping tom in the neighborhood.

informal I think there's a peeping tom lurking around our street.

slang That guy is such a creepy peeping tom.

figurative She felt like a peeping tom, observing the private conversation from afar.

Grammatical Forms of peeping tom

• past tense: peeped
• plural: peeping toms
• comparative: more peeping
• superlative: most peeping
• present tense: peeps
• future tense: will peep
• perfect tense: have peeped
• continuous tense: is peeping
• singular: peeping tom
• positive degree: peeping
• infinitive: to peep
• gerund: peeping
• participle: peeped

Origin and Evolution of peeping tom

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The origin of the term 'peeping tom' can be traced back to the legendary story of Lady Godiva, an 11th-century noblewoman who rode naked through the streets of Coventry to protest against the oppressive taxation imposed by her husband. According to the legend, a man named Tom could not resist the temptation to peek at Lady Godiva as she rode by, and he was subsequently struck blind.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'peeping tom' has come to refer to any person who secretly observes others, especially for sexual gratification. The term has evolved to encompass a broader range of voyeuristic behaviors beyond just literal peeping through windows or keyholes.