spy

[ spahy ]

noun

, plural spies.

1. a person employed by a government to obtain secret information or intelligence about another, usually hostile, country, especially with reference to military or naval affairs.
2. a person who keeps close and secret watch on the actions and words of another or others.
3. a person who seeks to obtain confidential information about the activities, plans, methods, etc., of an organization or person, especially one who is employed for this purpose by a competitor:

   an industrial spy.

4. the act of spying.

verb (used without object)

, spied, spy·ing.

1. to observe secretively or furtively with hostile intent (often followed by on or upon ).
2. to act as a spy; engage in espionage.
3. to be on the lookout; keep watch.
4. to search for or examine something closely or carefully.

verb (used with object)

, spied, spy·ing.

1. to catch sight of suddenly; espy; descry:

   to spy a rare bird overhead.

2. to discover or find out by observation or scrutiny (often followed by out ).
3. to observe (a person, place, enemy, etc.) secretively or furtively with hostile intent.
4. to inspect or examine or to search or look for closely or carefully.

spy

/ spaɪ /

noun

1. a person employed by a state or institution to obtain secret information from rival countries, organizations, companies, etc
2. a person who keeps secret watch on others
3. obsolete.
   a close view

verb

1. intrusually foll byon to keep a secret or furtive watch (on)
2. intr to engage in espionage
3. tr to catch sight of; descry

Other Words From

• spyship noun
• outspy verb (used with object) outspied outspying
• super·spy noun plural superspies
• un·spied adjective
• un·spying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spy¹

First recorded in 1200–50; (for the verb) Middle English spien, shortened from espien, espyen “to espy” ( espy ); (for the noun) Middle English, shortened from espy “a spy,” from Old French espie

Word History and Origins

Origin of spy¹

C13 spien, from Old French espier, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German spehōn, Middle Dutch spien

Example Sentences

But critics on both sides of the aisle say that far from just advocating for restraint, she has embraced talking points from militaristic autocrats like Assad and Putin, and as overseer of 18 spy agencies would undermine national security and the international order.

From Salon

Further bruising was seen on Charlie over the following months by family and friends, and at the end of August 2023 Ms Roberts installed a spy camera overlooking her son's cot but took no further action, the court heard.

From BBC

Ms Roberts bought a spy camera over concerns about Mr Stockton and her son but failed to take any further action to protect him, it is alleged.

From BBC

The decision also made possible a hero’s transformation for Charles, from a fumbling first-time spy to someone capable of solving a case.

From Los Angeles Times

“It was about the spy craft. But really what I found was how propulsive it was. It was the sort of television I love to watch.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agent
• detective
• informer
• investigator
• mole
• operative
• secret agent
• secret service
• undercover agent