eavesdrop

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "eavesdrop" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the activity of secretly listening to a conversation between two or more people without them knowing. For example: "I accidentally overheard their conversation when I was standing near them and I realized I had been eavesdropping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The supposed safeguard under the FAA is that the NSA annually submits a document setting forth its general procedures for how it decides on whom it can eavesdrop without a warrant.

The Guardian - Opinion

Under the FAA, which was just renewed last December for another five years, no warrants are needed for the NSA to eavesdrop on a wide array of calls, emails and online chats involving US citizens.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unlike Talking Funny, The Green Room has a studio audience, which slightly ruins the illusion of an unlicensed eavesdrop on stand-ups talking shop.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Another programme, started under George W. Bush and ended in 2011, collected similar metadata on e-mails sent and received.Other concerns involve Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the NSA to eavesdrop on communications by people outside the United States.

The Economist

If truth be told, no-one needs to eavesdrop to discover such things.

The Economist

And for the airlines themselves, on-board digital conversations present new opportunities to eavesdrop on and better understand their customers, enabling them to respond with advice or less appealingly unsolicited marketing (Qantas already monitors what people say in its lounges via a tool called Local Measure).

The Economist

And the Red Cross's Florian Westphal fears satellite or mobile phones will make warlords even more suspicious of aid workers; it is now harder to eavesdrop than it was when aid workers used open radio frequencies.On balance, of course, technology is more of a boon than a problem, though the gains are uneven.

The Economist

A Russian spy ship, equipped to eavesdrop NATO communications, is already in the Adriatic.

The Economist

And he has expanded the government's power to eavesdrop on its citizens.Spot the differenceMr McCain is not Mr Bush.

The Economist

A subsection of its users, though, prefer it for its security for every conversation is encrypted and therefore, in theory, difficult to eavesdrop upon.Yet hackers, security researchers and other professional paranoids have often wondered how secure Skype really is.

The Economist

Eavesdrop on Sir Humphrey and Justice Shallow; buttonhole the producer of Off the Record and the political editors of the Grauniad or the Moon; get your hotline, in short, to what the cognoscenti are saying about this general election and you will hear snatches of a thousand conversations: "Looks like Tony's going to win then?" "Be close though".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eavesdrop" when you want to specifically highlight the act of secretly listening to a conversation. Ensure the context makes it clear that the listening is intentional and unauthorized.

Common error

Avoid using "eavesdrop" when the listening is accidental or unintentional. In such cases, use "overhear" instead. "Eavesdrop" implies a deliberate attempt to listen secretly.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "eavesdrop" is as a verb, denoting the act of secretly listening to a conversation. As indicated by Ludwig, it is used to describe the action of intentionally hearing a conversation not intended for the listener.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eavesdrop" functions primarily as a verb describing the act of secretly listening to a conversation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While semantically neutral, its implications carry a negative connotation due to the inherent breach of privacy. The term is frequently used in news and media contexts, often related to surveillance or espionage. Related phrases include "overhear" and "listen in", each subtly different in their implications of intent and accidental versus deliberate action. When using the term "eavesdrop", remember to consider the implications of intentionality and potential wrongdoing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overhear

Implies accidentally hearing something not intended for you, often without actively trying to listen.

listen in

Suggests a deliberate act of listening to a conversation without the speakers' knowledge.

secretly listen

Emphasizes the clandestine nature of the listening activity.

spy on a conversation

Indicates a more intentional and potentially malicious act of listening.

bug a conversation

Involves using electronic devices to listen secretly.

tap a phone line

Specifically refers to intercepting phone calls.

monitor communications

Suggests a broader surveillance of various forms of communication.

intercept conversations

Implies stopping and listening to a conversation in transit.

snoop on a discussion

Describes casually or furtively listening to a conversation.

listen at the door

Refers to the physical act of listening to a conversation through a barrier.

FAQs

What is the difference between "eavesdrop" and "overhear"?

"Eavesdrop" implies intentionally listening to a conversation without the speakers' knowledge, while "overhear" suggests accidentally hearing something not meant for you.

How can I use "eavesdrop" in a sentence?

You can use "eavesdrop" in a sentence like: "She had to consciously resist the urge to eavesdrop on her neighbors' argument."

Is "eavesdrop" a formal or informal term?

"Eavesdrop" is a fairly neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it carries a slightly negative connotation due to the secretive nature of the action.

What are some synonyms for "eavesdrop"?

Some synonyms for "eavesdrop" include "listen in", "spy on a conversation", and secretly listen.