snooping
/snuːp/ (bre, ipa) · [snˈupɪŋ] /snuːp/ (ame, ipa) · [snˈupɪŋ] /ˈsnüp How to pronounce snoop (audio)/ (ame, mw)
snooping — verb
- snoopingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- snoopings3rd person singular
- snoopinging-ing form
- snoopingedpast simple
1. the present participle form used when someone quietly searches a place or anothe
the present participle form used when someone quietly searches a place or another person's things without permission to uncover something hidden
Christopher was caught snooping around the principal's office after the bell rang.
be caught snooping around + [place]
Gabriela spent the afternoon snooping through the guest-room drawers for the spare key.
snooping through + [container]
Hao admitted to snooping in the warehouse when the missing tablets were discovered.
Padma heard someone snooping behind the reception desk while the manager took lunch.
Bilal got into trouble for snooping around the film set during rehearsal.
- prying
stronger and more judgmental, especially when privacy is involved
- poking around
lighter and more casual than snooping
- rummaging
emphasises searching through physical objects rather than private lives
文法句型
be snooping around [place]
be snooping through [container]
be snooping in [room/file]
用法筆記
This sense focuses on quietly looking through a place or physical objects. It usually needs a place phrase such as 'around the office' or 'through her bag'.
常見錯誤
2. the present participle form used when someone pushes into another person's priva
the present participle form used when someone pushes into another person's private messages, relationships, or personal affairs that do not concern them
Ezra felt angry after catching his cousin snooping on his private voice notes.
snooping on + [person/device]
Putri accused the blogger of snooping into her divorce after the article appeared.
snooping into + [private matter]
Chidi warned the interns to stop snooping into staff salaries during lunch breaks.
Heloísa suspected the phone app was snooping on her late-night searches.
Jason hated his aunt snooping into why he had missed class again.
- respecting privacy
keeping out of another person's personal business
文法句型
be snooping on [person/device]
be snooping into [private matter]
stop snooping into [topic]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: here the target is another person's privacy, not a room or a set of objects. 'On' often introduces the person or device, while 'into' introduces the personal topic.
常見錯誤
snooping — noun
1. a rare, old-fashioned word for a person who keeps poking into other people's sec
a rare, old-fashioned word for a person who keeps poking into other people's secrets or private business
The old novel paints the housekeeper as a snooping who listens at keyholes.
a snooping who + clause
An angry judge called the tabloid reporter a snooping during the hearing.
call someone a snooping
Her grandfather still uses snooping for any neighbour who asks rude questions.
The memoir mentions one village snooping who knew everyone's business before breakfast.
文法句型
a snooping who + clause
call someone a snooping
use snooping for + person
用法筆記
Rare and old-fashioned. Modern speakers usually prefer 'snoop' or 'snooper'; this form is more likely to appear in older writing or playful criticism.