How Do You Spell EAVESDROPS?

Pronunciation: [ˈiːvzdɹɒps] (IPA)

Eavesdrops is spelled with two distinct syllables. The first syllable, "eaves," is pronounced as "ivz" (/iːvz/) and refers to the projecting overhang of a roof. The second syllable, "drops," rhymes with "ops" and is pronounced as "drɒps" (/drɒps/). Together, the word refers to the act of secretly listening to someone's conversation without their knowledge. The spelling of the word is intuitive, with each syllable following standard English spelling rules.

EAVESDROPS Meaning and Definition

1. Eavesdrops, as a transitive verb, is the act of covertly listening to a private conversation or gathering of individuals without their knowledge or consent. It refers to the practice of surreptitiously overhearing others in order to obtain information, often done by intentionally positioning oneself in close proximity to the individuals being observed. The term "eavesdrops" is derived from the action of standing within the eaves of a building, such as under the overhanging roof, to secretly listen in on conversations happening inside.

   Eavesdropping is typically done out of curiosity, desire for information, or for malicious intent. It involves intentionally intruding upon the privacy of others, invading their personal space, and violating their right to have private conversations without unwanted surveillance. Eavesdrops often occur in situations where secrecy, discretion, or confidentiality is expected, such as within private residences, confidential business meetings, or even public places where individuals may assume a certain level of privacy.

   Due to the advancement of technology, eavesdrops can occur through various means, such as wiretapping phone calls, hacking into digital communications, or using hidden surveillance devices. However, it is important to note that eavesdropping is generally considered unethical and often illegal, unless authorized by law enforcement or intelligence agencies under specific circumstances for matters of national security or criminal investigations.

Common Misspellings for EAVESDROPS

• eavsdrop
• evesdrop
• evesdrops
• eavesdrope
• eavedrops
• Eavsdropp
• Eavesdropt
• eevsdropp
• eevestrops

Etymology of EAVESDROPS

The word "eavesdrop" is believed to have originated from Old English, specifically from the combination of two words, "ēaf" meaning "edge" or "border", and "droppian" meaning "to let fall". The term originally referred to the action of standing under the eaves (the overhanging edges of a roof) to listen to conversations or sounds occurring inside a building. Over time, the term "eavesdrop" came to represent the act of secretly listening to others without their knowledge or consent.

Similar spelling words for EAVESDROPS

• eavesdropper,
• eavesdrop.

Conjugate verb Eavesdrops

CONDITIONAL

I would eavesdrop

we would eavesdrop

you would eavesdrop

he/she/it would eavesdrop

they would eavesdrop

FUTURE

I will eavesdrop

we will eavesdrop

you will eavesdrop

he/she/it will eavesdrop

they will eavesdrop

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have eavesdropped

we will have eavesdropped

you will have eavesdropped

he/she/it will have eavesdropped

they will have eavesdropped

PAST

I eavesdropped

we eavesdropped

you eavesdropped

he/she/it eavesdropped

they eavesdropped

PAST PERFECT

I had eavesdropped

we had eavesdropped

you had eavesdropped

he/she/it had eavesdropped

they had eavesdropped

PRESENT

I eavesdrop

we eavesdrop

you eavesdrop

he/she/it eavesdrops

they eavesdrop

PRESENT PERFECT

I have eavesdropped

we have eavesdropped

you have eavesdropped

he/she/it has eavesdropped

they have eavesdropped

I am eavesdropping

we are eavesdropping

you are eavesdropping

he/she/it is eavesdropping

they are eavesdropping

I was eavesdropping

we were eavesdropping

you were eavesdropping

he/she/it was eavesdropping

they were eavesdropping

I will be eavesdropping

we will be eavesdropping

you will be eavesdropping

he/she/it will be eavesdropping

they will be eavesdropping

I have been eavesdropping

we have been eavesdropping

you have been eavesdropping

he/she/it has been eavesdropping

they have been eavesdropping

I had been eavesdropping

we had been eavesdropping

you had been eavesdropping

he/she/it had been eavesdropping

they had been eavesdropping

I will have been eavesdropping

we will have been eavesdropping

you will have been eavesdropping

he/she/it will have been eavesdropping

they will have been eavesdropping

I would have eavesdropped

we would have eavesdropped

you would have eavesdropped

he/she/it would have eavesdropped

they would have eavesdropped

I would be eavesdropping

we would be eavesdropping

you would be eavesdropping

he/she/it would be eavesdropping

they would be eavesdropping

I would have been eavesdropping

we would have been eavesdropping

you would have been eavesdropping

he/she/it would have been eavesdropping

they would have been eavesdropping