eavesdrop — to secretly listen to a private conversation
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to secretly listen to a private conversation
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈiːvzdrɑːp/
Korean meaning: 남의 사적인 대화를 몰래 엿듣다
Korean pronunciation: **이**브즈드롭
Example Sentences
- My cat seems to eavesdrop on my Zoom meetings - she always appears when I mention 'treats'.
- The waiter was obviously eavesdropping when he brought extra napkins right after we spilled the sauce.
- I accidentally eavesdropped on my neighbor's karaoke session - now I know he's secretly a Whitney Houston fan.
eavesdrop
VERB//ˈiːvzdrɑːp//
to secretly listen to a private conversation
An office worker eavesdrops on a private meeting through the door
Behind the backdrop, she sheds a teardrop as she eavesdrops
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Middle English 'eavesdroppe,' referring to the space around a house where water drips from the eaves. Originally, an 'eavesdropper' was someone who stood in this space near windows or doors to secretly listen to conversations inside.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat seems to eavesdrop on my Zoom meetings - she always appears when I mention 'treats'.”
“The waiter was obviously eavesdropping when he brought extra napkins right after we spilled the sauce.”
“I accidentally eavesdropped on my neighbor's karaoke session - now I know he's secretly a Whitney Houston fan.”
“It's considered rude to eavesdrop on private conversations in most cultures.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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