Snooping
/ˈsnuːpɪŋ/
nounverbB2present participle
Definition
Snooping is when a person tries to find out private or hidden information by looking or searching secretly. Usually, this is done without the other person's permission, and it can feel like spying or being curious in a way that is not polite.
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See It in Action
The act of secretly looking for private information
- •She was caught snooping in her brother’s room.
- •The manager warned employees against snooping through confidential files.
- •Parents sometimes snoop on their children’s phones to check their activities.
Doing the action of secretly searching or spying (verb form)
- •He was snooping around the office after hours.
- •Stop snooping in my things; it’s not polite.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "snooping" like "looking" (A1 word), but done quietly and secretly, like trying not to be seen or caught.
- ✓Picture someone slowly opening a drawer or reading messages on a phone when the owner is not there.
- ✓It's the feeling when you are curious but know you shouldn't be, like peeking at a surprise gift before the right time.
- ✓Sounds like "snoop" → imagine a little detective dog sniffing around quietly to find secrets.
- ✓In stories, snooping is like a spy sneaking around to learn secrets without permission.
- ✓NOT like "asking" (open and honest), snooping is secret and sometimes sneaky.
- ✓NOT like "searching" (can be open), snooping always has a secret or private feeling.
- ✓NOT like "investigating" (official and serious), snooping is more informal and often personal.
Try Other Words
- •Peeking: looking quickly and secretly (Use when the action is brief and less serious)
- •Prying: trying to find out private information (Use when the searching feels more intrusive or nosy)
- •Eavesdropping: secretly listening to conversations (Use when the secret action is about hearing, not looking)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "snoop" (root) + "-ing" (present participle suffix showing action)
- •Etymology: "snoop" comes from Dutch "snuffen," meaning to sniff or search around quietly
- •Historical development: Originally meant to quietly look around or search; now often means secret or nosy searching
- •Modern usage: Used for secret or private searching in everyday life, often with a negative feeling of invading privacy
Reflect & Connect
•Why do people sometimes feel the need to snoop even when they know it is wrong?
•How does snooping affect trust between friends or family members?
Fill in the blanks
1.She was caught snooping because she wanted to ___ her sister’s diary without permission.
2.People often feel guilty after snooping because it invades someone’s ___.
3.Unlike asking directly, snooping is done ___ and without the person knowing.
4.When someone is snooping around, they are usually trying to find ___ information.
5.Parents sometimes snoop ___ their children’s phones to check for safety.
6.Snooping is different from spying because it is usually more ___ and personal.
7.After snooping, the person might try to ___ the evidence or hide what they found.