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Samerrustom Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary

Eavesdrop VS Spy

I usually hear spy in movies and tv series but recently while I was watching an old American movie, I heard someone says to his partner "you shouldn't eavesdrop on people".
Does eavesdrop and spy have the same meaning, and which one is formal?
  

Top answer

The difference is not one of formality. Rather, to eavesdrop is simply to overhear (intentionally, usually) a conversation in, say a restaurant or a hotel lobby. To spy is more physically active and involves following the person to places in order to determine activities.

— Philip

  • The difference is not one of formality.
  • Rather, to eavesdrop is simply to overhear (intentionally, usually) a conversation in, say a restaurant or a hotel lobby.
  • To spy is more physically active and involves following the person to places in order to determine activities.
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1 Answers
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The difference is not one of formality. Rather, to eavesdrop is simply to overhear (intentionally, usually) a conversation in, say a restaurant or a hotel lobby. To spy is more physically active and involves following the person to places in order to determine activities.
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