overhearing

Accidentally catching talk

Overhearing is hearing something not meant for you—a conversation, remark, or piece of information you weren't supposed to catch: I couldn't help overhearing your argument.

Unlike eavesdropping, overhearing is typically accidental rather than intentional.

The word often introduces information learned this way: Overhearing their plans, she decided to act.

surveillance

wiretap

Hidden listening device

buggingSecretly recording conversations
interceptSeize en route
spyCovert information gatherer

snoop · monitor · recording · covert · clandestine · intelligence · espionage · NSA · Stasi · informant

accidental

whisper

Speech without full voice

conversationExchange of spoken ideas
unintendedNot done on purpose
snippetSmall cut portion

fragment · mishear · private · secrets · gossip · rumor · disclosure · reveal · slip · blurt

Categories

listeningactive listening, attentive, listening skills, listening comprehension, focused attention
eavesdroppingspying, covert surveillance
manner of listeningactively, passively, attentively, intently, closely
Hearing experienceslistening, deafness, silence, tinnitus, ringing ears
perceptionsee, vision, seeing, senses, observing
discoveryfind, finding, discovery, discover, finding out

Opposites

listener's intent/attention

overhearinglistening

Attending to sound

active listening · paying attention · attending to · heeding · tuning in

awareness/knowledge of being heard

overhearingpublic address

Broadcast communication system

open communication · broadcasting

covert reception vs. overt communication

overhearingconversing

Engaging in spoken exchange

dialoguing · discussing · participating · speaking · communicating

Family

hear, hearing, heard, eavesdrop, overhear, hearer, overheard, hearsay, eavesdropping

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G