earwig
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To eavesdrop.
Register: slang
Examples
He had heard nothing from Fin, or anyone else, since the angry exchange the other night and was worried about how things were going, but he couldn′t ask about the LeMotts, not with Mum earwigging.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To eavesdrop on.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “earwig” mean?
To eavesdrop.
Is “earwig” formal or informal?
earwig is generally slang.