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

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said that heightened geopolitical tension like that seen over the weekend would normally spook investors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Others are too spooked to enter the market or are waiting for prices to drop even further, Mr Hildebrand said.

From BBC

In Florida markets including Cape Coral, higher insurance costs and hurricanes are also spooking buyers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite trading above $100,000 in the beginning of the year, the crypto plunged with the rest of the market in April as global tariffs and trade disputes spooked investors.

From MarketWatch

Read: ‘The bulls are definitely spooked’: Has silver’s stunning rise this year run out of steam?

From MarketWatch