snooper

Everyday

1. A snooper is a person who secretly looks into other people's private business, looks around where they should not, or spies. tree →
2. A snooper can also be someone officially checking up on people, like an inspector (often said in a disapproving way). tree →

In the lessons

In stories, a snooper peeks through windows or reads someone's diary, which tells the reader they are nosy. In online safety, snoopers are people or apps trying to see your private information. Phrases: "nosy snooper", "keep snoopers out".

Examples

• Our neighbour is a snooper who watches everyone through her curtains. tree →
• Keep your password secret from snoopers. tree →
• The detective caught the snooper reading the letters. tree →
• My little brother is a snooper — he looked in my diary! tree →
• The house had a lock to keep snoopers out. tree →
• (informal) The newspaper called the tax inspectors "snoopers". tree →

Note

Countable: a snooper, snoopers. Verb: snoop (snooping, snooped). Similar words: nosy parker (UK, informal), busybody, spy. Do not confuse with "snooker", a game played with balls and cues.