voyeur
English meaning: Voyeur
Definition
A person who derives sexual pleasure from secretly observing other people, especially when such people are engaged in some sexual activity.
Example
“Police arrested the voyeur who had been spying on his neighbours.”
Another example: “The novel is told from the cold perspective of a detached voyeur.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A formal or literary noun (originally French) for someone who gains gratification from secretly watching others, usually in private or sexual situations. Carries strongly negative, sometimes legal connotations.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
Borrowed from French 'voyeur' (one who sees), from 'voir' (to see), from Latin 'videre'; entered English in the early 20th century.
Synonyms
- peeping tom
- peeper
- spy
Antonyms / Opposites
- exhibitionist
Related Words
Common Collocations
- a peeping voyeur
- convicted voyeur
- secret voyeur
- act of a voyeur
Word Forms
voyeur (n); voyeurs (pl); voyeurism (n); voyeuristic (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B