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Overhear vs Eavesdrop - What's the difference?

overhear | eavesdrop | Synonyms |

Eavesdrop is a synonym of overhear.



As verbs the difference between overhear and eavesdrop

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

As a noun eavesdrop is

the dripping of rain from the eaves of a house.

overhear

English

Verb

  • To hear something that wasn't meant for one's ears.

    • Derived terms

    * overhearer

    eavesdrop

    English

    Verb

    (eavesdropp)
  • (senseid)To hear a conversation one is not intended to hear; to listen in.
    • I hope nobody was eavesdropping on our conversation last night, since it got so personal.

    Usage notes

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

    Synonyms

    * (hear conversation one is not intended to hear) overhear

    Derived terms

    * eavesdropper

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The dripping of rain from the eaves of a house
  • The space around a house on which such water drips
  • A concealed aperture through which an occupant of a building can surreptitiously listen to people talking at an entrance to the building
  • The act of intentionally hearing a conversation not intended to be heard

    • Synonyms

    * eavesdrip