Learn English – Term meaning “to listen to somebody secretly”

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I know spying on somebody means to watch somebody secretly, but is there a term that means to listen to somebody secretly? For example, you are in a room talking with someone and there is someone else outside the door listening to your conversation without you knowing.

Best Answer

Consider eavesdrop (“To hear a conversation one is not intended to hear; to listen in”) and overhear (“To hear something that wasn't meant for one's ears”).

A usage note at the first link points out:

To eavesdrop usually implies the listener is purposefully trying to hear the conversation of others. To overhear is more often accidental.

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