voyeur

/vɔɪˈɜː(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /vwɑːˈjɜːr/ (ame, ipa) · /vwä-ˈyər vȯi-ˈər/ (ame, mw)

voyeur — noun

  • voyeursingular
  • voyeursplural

1. someone who finds sexual excitement in observing other people without their know

1.名詞B2
釋義

someone who finds sexual excitement in observing other people without their knowledge, especially when those people are naked or taking part in sexual activity

例句

Police arrested Eli for acting as a voyeur and filming neighbours through their bedroom window.

act as a voyeur

Karim's therapist warned that watching hotel guests with binoculars was classic voyeur behaviour.

adjective + voyeur: classic voyeur behaviour

同義詞
  • peeping Tom

    more informal, specifically refers to someone who looks through windows at people who are undressed

  • secret watcher

    descriptive phrase rather than a single-word synonym; less clinical

文法句型

a + ~

~ + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used in legal and psychological contexts. In many jurisdictions, acting as a voyeur is a criminal offence. The noun is countable — a voyeur, the voyeurs.

常見錯誤

❌He is a voyeur who likes watching movies.
✅He is a voyeur who secretly films people in the gym shower.
💡'voyeur' specifically implies secret observation of nakedness or sex acts, not ordinary viewing.

2. a person who takes an unhealthy or overly eager interest in the private problems

2.名詞B2
釋義

a person who takes an unhealthy or overly eager interest in the private problems and personal lives of other people, often by watching or reading about them

例句

Tara called her gossipy colleague a voyeur for eavesdropping daily near the water cooler.

figurative use: call someone a voyeur

Reality TV turns ordinary viewers into voyeurs who crave strangers' private arguments and breakdowns.

turn [someone] into a voyeur

同義詞
  • busybody

    less intense; focuses on meddling rather than secret watching

  • gawker

    more casual; refers to staring at accidents or scenes in public

文法句型

a + ~

mere + ~

用法筆記

This is a figurative extension of the literal sexual meaning. It is commonly used to criticise media consumers, gossipers, or anyone who seems obsessively interested in others' misfortunes. Often appears with 'mere' or 'just a' to downplay the intensity.