verb
eavesdrop
EEVZ-drop
verb
1
To secretly listen in on a conversation you were not meant to hear.
"She stood by the door, eavesdropping on her parents' argument."
"He accidentally eavesdropped on a private call while waiting in the hallway."
noun
1
The narrow strip of ground around a house where rainwater drips off the roof.
"Weeds had grown thick along the eavesdrop at the back of the cottage."
How to Use Eavesdrop
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishListening in on a conversation that isn't yours to hear, usually secretly.
Common mistake
Always used with "on" — you eavesdrop ON a conversation, not eavesdrop a conversation.
Common pairings
eavesdrop on a conversation
caught eavesdropping
eavesdrop on someone
Word Forms
eavesdropped past tense, eavesdrops plural, eavesdrops singular
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Weeds had grown thick along the _____ at the back of the cottage.
Etymology
From "eaves" (the overhanging edge of a roof) plus "drop" — originally the ground where rain dripped off the roof; the "secret listening" sense grew from picturing someone lurking in that spot to overhear what was said inside.