51Թ

Advertisement

View synonyms for

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 orupon ).

  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 byout ).

  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

/ 貹ɪ /

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. obsoletea close view

“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

verb

  1. to keep a secret or furtive watch (on)

  2. (intr) to engage in espionage

  3. (tr) to catch sight of; descry

“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
Discover More

Other 51Թ Forms

  • spyship noun
  • outspy verb (used with object)
  • superspy noun
  • unspied adjective
  • unspying adjective
Discover More

51Թ 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
Discover More

51Թ History and Origins

Origin of spy1

C13 spien, from Old French espier, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German ō, Middle Dutch spien
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Last month Denmark's foreign minister summoned the US ambassador in Copenhagen, following a report in the Wall Street Journal alleging that US spy agencies were told to focus efforts on Greenland.

From

Cummins had spied another 20 or 30 runs for Australia's last two wickets at the conclusion of the previous day.

From

Once again, Israel's spy agency is shown to have successfully penetrated the very heart of Iran's security establishment, proving that no one there is safe.

From

The spy is the most devoted of employees.

From

A former fighter pilot, journalist and spy, many of his books were based on his own experience.

From

Advertisement

Related 51Թs

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Spuyten Duyvil Creekspyglass