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snooper

snooper

3 7.4
A person who secretly tries to find out about other people's private things
  • noun
  • /ˈsnuːpər/
translation icon : fisgón
  • If we're going to be two women alone on this farm, we better get that old shotgun ready for snoopers.

Examples

  • - I don't mind saying how much I resent his MI5 snoopers poking about in our MI6 affairs.

  • The journalist was considered a savvy snooper, always digging for hidden stories.

  • - How did the snooper find out?

  • I took his wallet, so you can find out some more about the snooper.

  • At least none that this little snooper can sniff out.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Others have said that it's just another snooper's charter.

  • Well, you could be seen by snoopers - and bring a giant hunt!

  • She discovered that the old snooper in the neighborhood often watched people through his window.

  • Privacy is essential; no one wants a snooper invading their personal space.

Synonyms

snoop
vssnooper
26 7.4

A person who secretly looks for other people's private information

is the broader term for secret intrusive investigation
busybody
vssnooper
  • Offensive
16 7.1

A person who asks too many questions about other people's private lives

does this secretly or intrusively rather than openly prying
eavesdropper
vssnooper
4 6.1

A person who secretly listens to other people's private conversations

is broader and covers secret finding out by other means
peeper
vssnooper
  • NSFW
4 9.3

A person who secretly watches others without their knowledge

is broader and includes listening or following not just watching
noser
vssnooper
  • Offensive
2 8.9

A person who wants to know about other people's private lives

is similar but usually less secret and more openly curious
nosy-parker
vssnooper
  • Offensive
1 8.3

A person who asks too many private questions about others

is more secretive or intrusive rather than only curious
wiretapper
vssnooper
1 8.6

A person who secretly listens to other people's phone calls with a hidden device

is similar but can include different communication technologies beyond phones
nosey parker
vssnooper
  • UK
1 8.2

A person who is too interested in other people's private matters

is more secretive or intrusive rather than only curious
shadower
vssnooper
8.9

A person who follows someone secretly and tells others what they do

is used for secret investigation beyond only physical following
phone tapper
vssnooper
8.9

A person who secretly listens to other people's phone calls

is narrower, focusing on device listening rather than general spying
nosey-parker
vssnooper
  • UK
9.1

A person who tries to find out what other people are doing when it does not concern them

is more secretive or intrusive rather than only curious

How Intrusive

spy
623 2.9
snooper
3 7.4
observer
305 2.8

Surface Forms

snooper singular
snoopers plural

Morphology

snooper = snoop (transparent) = snoop + er

Formed by adding the agentive suffix '-er' to 'snoop', yielding 'one who snoops', a straightforward derivation.

Etymology

Snooper comes from the word snoop plus -er, and snoop means 'to look around secretly'. Think of someone 'sniffing' for secrets like a dog, which is why a snooper is a person who tries to find out other people's private affairs.