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, spying.

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, spying.

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 Word Forms

• 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 she was eventually persuaded to return to screens earlier this year for spy thriller Back in Action with actor Jamie Foxx.

From BBC

Nguyen’s thrilling study of a stateless, nameless spy is unlike any other novel rooted in the Vietnam War.

From Los Angeles Times

Her film roles include Alfred Hitchcock’s 1972 film “Frenzy,” and the spy drama “The Eagle Has Landed.”

From Los Angeles Times

It's a dangerous time for artists in England, a country rife with paranoia where spies are everywhere, and as the rivals duel with each other, they become increasingly tempted by the idea of betrayal.

From BBC

Meanwhile, China sends “spy balloons” across the North American continent and routinely allies with the worst state actors on the planet.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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