What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wiretap
Example
The police obtained a warrant to wiretap the suspect's phone. [wiretap: verb]
Example
The wiretap revealed evidence of the crime. [wiretap: noun]
eavesdropping
Example
I caught my neighbor eavesdropping on my conversation. [eavesdropping: gerund or present participle]
Example
She accidentally overheard her boss's private conversation. [eavesdropping: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wiretap is less commonly used in everyday language than eavesdropping. Wiretap is more technical and legalistic, while eavesdropping is a more common term for the act of listening in on someone's conversation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wiretap and eavesdropping?
Wiretap is a more formal term, often used in legal or technical contexts. Eavesdropping is a more casual term, used in everyday conversation.
