eavesdropper

/ˈiːvzdrɒpə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈiːvzdrɑːpər/ (ame, ipa) · /-pə(r)/ (ame, mw)

eavesdropper — 名詞

  • eavesdroppersingular
  • eavesdroppersplural

1. someone who quietly listens while other people talk and do not realize it

1.名詞C1
釋義

偷聽者

暗中偷聽別人談話的人

someone who quietly listens while other people talk and do not realize it

例句

Adina became an eavesdropper when she paused outside the meeting-room door.

Adina 在會議室門外停下腳步時，成了偷聽者。

pattern: become + an eavesdropper

On the night train, Christopher felt like an eavesdropper hearing the couple argue behind him.

在夜車上，Christopher 聽見身後那對情侶吵架時，覺得自己像個偷聽者。

同義詞
  • snooper

    broader and more informal; can involve reading or watching, not only listening

  • spy

    usually suggests organised secret work for a political, military, or business purpose

  • busybody

    more strongly disapproving; stresses interfering in other people's affairs

文法句型

become + an eavesdropper

call + someone + an eavesdropper

用法筆記

Usually suggests that the person is close enough to hear ordinary speech directly. Distinguish from sense 2 and sense 3, which involve equipment or digital access rather than simple overhearing.

常見錯誤

❌The therapist was an eavesdropper during the session.
✅The therapist was a listener during the session.
💡An eavesdropper listens secretly without permission; a therapist is expected to hear what is said.

2. someone who hears other people's talk through a hidden microphone or similar dev

2.名詞C2
釋義

竊聽者

用器材暗中監聽談話的人

someone who hears other people's talk through a hidden microphone or similar device

例句

Police found an eavesdropper listening through a bug hidden under the office table.

警方發現一名竊聽者正透過藏在辦公桌下的竊聽器偷聽。

collocation: bug hidden under the table

Romi feared an eavesdropper was monitoring the baby's room with a cheap radio.

Romi 擔心有竊聽者正用便宜的收音設備監聽嬰兒房。

同義詞
  • wiretapper

    more specific; often refers to secretly listening to telephone or audio lines

  • spy

    broader and often more political; does not always focus on listening equipment

文法句型

find + an eavesdropper + verb-ing

an eavesdropper + with a hidden microphone

用法筆記

Use this sense when the person is listening by means of a bug, microphone, receiver, or similar equipment. Distinguish from sense 1, where the person simply overhears nearby speech without special gear.

常見錯誤

❌The reporter with a notebook was an eavesdropper.
✅The reporter with a hidden microphone was an eavesdropper.
💡This sense requires secret listening through equipment, not ordinary note-taking.

3. someone who steals information by tapping digital messages or secretly entering

3.名詞C2
釋義

網路竊聽者

截訊或入侵系統竊資的人

someone who steals information by tapping digital messages or secretly entering computer networks

例句

Esteban traced the eavesdropper to a hacked router in the school office.

Esteban 追查到那名網路竊聽者來自學校辦公室裡一台被駭入的路由器。

collocation: hacked router

After the attack, Vikram changed every password to block the eavesdropper from reading staff emails.

遭到攻擊後，Vikram 更換了所有密碼，以阻止網路竊聽者讀取員工電子郵件。

pattern: block + eavesdropper + from

同義詞
  • hacker

    broader; can damage or change systems, not only secretly read information

  • cyber spy

    emphasises organised intelligence work rather than any unauthorised interception

  • interceptor

    more technical; focuses on capturing signals or data in transit

文法句型

block + the eavesdropper + from verb-ing

an eavesdropper + intercepts + calls or data

用法筆記

Used mainly for covert access to calls, messages, or stored data in electronic systems. Distinguish from sense 2, which stays closer to audio monitoring through physical listening devices.

常見錯誤

❌The eavesdropper copied the files after logging in with his own account.
✅The eavesdropper copied the files after secretly breaking into the system.
💡This sense involves covert interception or unauthorised access, not normal authorised use.