spyware

American

[spahy-wair] / ˈspaɪˌwɛər /

noun

Computers. software that is installed surreptitiously and gathers information about an internet user's browsing habits, intercepts the user's personal data, etc., transmitting this information to a third party.

a parent's use of spyware to monitor a child's online activities.
tools that are used to conduct espionage.

sophisticated spyware that rivals that of the CIA.

spyware British

/ ˈspaɪˌwɛə /

noun

computing software installed via the internet on a computer without the user's knowledge and used to send information about the user to another computer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of spyware

First recorded in 1980–85; spy + -ware

Vocabulary lists containing spyware

Computer Science and Technology - Middle School

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Computer Science and Technology - High School

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some of those companies are based in the U.S., while others, like Israeli spyware maker Paragon, are based overseas.

From Salon • Mar. 12, 2026

One of the signatories, Sarah Champion, who sits on parliament's Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy has, in the past, had Chinese spyware found on her parliamentary computer.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

The spyware has also been sent to phones via links in messages, according to security researchers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025

"Today's ruling bans spyware maker NSO from ever targeting WhatsApp and our global users again," WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart said in a statement.

From Barron's • Oct. 18, 2025

Many of the services were bloated with adware and spyware.

From The Public Domain Enclosing the Commons of the Mind by Boyle, James

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023