spy
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.
a person who keeps close and secret watch on the actions and words of another or others.
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.
the act of spying.
to observe secretively or furtively with hostile intent (often followed by on or upon).
to act as a spy; engage in espionage.
to be on the lookout; keep watch.
to search for or examine something closely or carefully.
to catch sight of suddenly; espy; descry: to spy a rare bird overhead.
to discover or find out by observation or scrutiny (often followed by out).
to observe (a person, place, enemy, etc.) secretively or furtively with hostile intent.
to inspect or examine or to search or look for closely or carefully.
Origin of spy
1Other words from spy
- spyship, noun
- outspy, verb (used with object), out·spied, out·spy·ing.
- su·per·spy, noun, plural su·per·spies.
- un·spied, adjective
- un·spy·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use spy in a sentence
Have you ever heard any feedback from the CIA/actual spies on Archer?
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS | Marlow Stern | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTCurrent and former intelligence officials have said North Korea has long been a priority target for American spies.
American spies have detailed dossiers on the North Koreans who the U.S. says were behind the Sony attack.
U.S. Spies Say They Tracked ‘Sony Hackers’ For Years | Shane Harris | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe U.S. got a relatively good deal—three Cuban spies were returned to their country in the swap.
Gross and an unnamed American intelligence agent were freed Wednesday in exchange for three Cuban spies.
And there came news that the king was in some gambling house with a troupe of that archfiend's spies.
The Weight of the Crown | Fred M. WhiteSpies everywhere will make out that I had a hand in the business, and all my work will be in vain.
The Weight of the Crown | Fred M. WhiteAnd he sent spies into their camp, and they came back, and brought him word that they designed to come upon them in the night.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousThe curates in many cases became mere spies and Government informers.
Hunted and Harried | R.M. Ballantyne"Here we can speak without fear; there are no traitors or spies here," said Chaudieu, looking at the two as yet unnamed men.
Catherine de' Medici | Honore de Balzac
British Dictionary definitions for spy
/ (spaɪ) /
a person employed by a state or institution to obtain secret information from rival countries, organizations, companies, etc
a person who keeps secret watch on others
obsolete a close view
(intr usually foll by on) to keep a secret or furtive watch (on)
(intr) to engage in espionage
(tr) to catch sight of; descry
Origin of spy
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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