wiretapper

wiretapper — noun

1. a person who secretly listens to phone calls or other messages by connecting to

1.nounC2
Definition

a person who secretly listens to phone calls or other messages by connecting to the line or signal that carries them

Example

Police caught the wiretapper after Nala reported strange clicks on her calls.

typical clue: strange clicks on a call

Arjun feared a wiretapper was recording every call from his office.

pattern: fear a wiretapper is recording calls

Common collocations
  • catch a wiretapper
  • hire a wiretapper
  • suspected wiretapper
  • wiretapper on the line
Synonyms
  • eavesdropper

    broader and less technical; can listen secretly without tapping a line

  • spy

    much broader; can gather many kinds of secret information, not only calls

  • snooper

    informal and often lighter in tone; may suggest nosy behavior rather than a crime

Grammar Patterns

a wiretapper on the line

hire a wiretapper to intercept calls

Usage Note

Usually used for someone who illegally listens to calls in police, crime, or political contexts. The word points to the person doing the spying, not to the device or software used to intercept the call.

Common Mistakes

The company installed a wiretapper in the meeting room.
The company installed a listening device in the meeting room.
a wiretapper is usually the person or agency doing the spying, not the device itself.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A wiretapper is a very specific kind of secret listener: the person gets access to phone calls or transmitted messages by tapping the line or signal. An eavesdropper also listens secretly, but usually by being physically nearby rather than using technical access. A spy is broader still, covering anyone who gathers secrets for political, military, or business reasons; listening to calls may be only one part of the job. A hacker usually breaks into digital systems, not phone lines, though modern hacking can include intercepting calls through software. Use wiretapper when the secret listening itself is the focus, especially in legal, police, or political stories.

wiretapper ↗eavesdropper ↗spy ↗hacker ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • suspected wiretapper
  • government wiretapper
  • phone wiretapper

Phrases

  • catch a wiretapper
  • hire a wiretapper
  • accuse someone of being a wiretapper

Prepositions

  • on (the line)
  • by (the police)

Etymology

Old EnglishModern English

This word was built in modern English from wire, tap, and the agent ending -er. It first referred to someone who connected to telegraph or telephone wires in order to take the signal and listen in. The image is very literal: the person 'taps' the wire to get access to a private message, so a wiretapper is the one who does that act.

First known use

1891

1891, in the meaning defined above