The difference between Eavesdrop and Overhear

When used as verbs, eavesdrop means to hear a conversation one is not intended to hear, whereas overhear means to hear something that was not meant for one's ears.


Eavesdrop is also noun with the meaning: the dripping of rain from the eaves of a house.

check bellow for the other definitions of Eavesdrop and Overhear

  1. Eavesdrop as a verb (ambitransitive):

    To hear a conversation one is not intended to hear; to listen in.

    Examples:

    "I hope nobody was eavesdropping on our conversation last night, since it got so personal."

  1. Eavesdrop as a noun:

    The dripping of rain from the eaves of a house

  2. Eavesdrop as a noun:

    The space around a house on which such water drips

  3. Eavesdrop as a noun:

    A concealed aperture through which an occupant of a building can surreptitiously listen to people talking at an entrance to the building

  4. Eavesdrop as a noun:

    The act of intentionally hearing a conversation not intended to be heard

  1. Overhear as a verb (ambitransitive):

    To hear something that was not meant for one's ears.

    Examples:

    "I was hanging clothes in the garden and I overheard the neighbours talking about Sheila's pregnancy."

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