spook

American  

[spook] / spuk /

noun

1. Informal. a ghost; specter.

2. Slang. a ghostwriter.

3. Slang. an eccentric person.

4. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a Black person.

5. Slang. an espionage agent; spy.

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verb (used with object)

1. to haunt; inhabit or appear in or to as a ghost or specter.

2. Informal. to frighten; scare.

verb (used without object)

1. Informal. to become frightened or scared.

   The fish spooked at any disturbance in the pool.

spook British  

/ spuːk /

noun

1. a ghost or a person suggestive of this

2. a spy

3. slang any pale or colourless alcoholic spirit

   spook and diesel

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verb

1. to frighten

   to spook horses

   to spook a person

2. (of a ghost) to haunt

Sensitive Note

When referring to a black person, the term spook dates back to the 1940s. It is used with disparaging intent and is perceived as highly insulting. Black pilots who trained at Tuskegee Institute during World War II were called the Spookwaffe. Some sources say that black pilots reclaimed this derogatory nickname as a self-referential term of pride.

Other Word Forms

• spookery noun
• spookish adjective

Etymology

Origin of spook

An Americanism first recorded in 1795–1805; from Dutch; cognate with German Spuk

Example Sentences

The zoo has urged people not to approach Samba or attempt to catch her, warning this could "spook" the animal and push her out of the area.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

While an unexpected contraction in the nonfarm-payrolls data would spook investors, a continuation of below-trend growth in jobs shouldn’t worry investors much, according to de Longis.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 2026

That means that while the ‘Sell America’ sentiment persists, more evidence is needed to spook the bond market in 2026.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

How much do high taxes spook super-rich people — and how far will they go to avoid them?

From MarketWatch • Jan. 10, 2026

A lifetime of small talk with the dead had made him hard to spook.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny