spy
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1spy
verb \ˈspī\spiedspy·ing
Definition of SPY
transitive verb
1
: to watch secretly usually for hostile purposes
2
: to catch sight of : see
3
: to search or look for intensively —usually used with out <spy out places fit for vending…goods — S. E. Morison>
intransitive verb
1
: to observe or search for something : look
2
: to watch secretly as a spy
See Examples of SPY
- They were accused of spying for a foreign government.
- <I spy a motel off in the distance, so let's spend the night there.>
Origin of SPY
Middle English spien, from Anglo-French espier, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German spehōn to spy; akin to Latin specere to look, look at, Greek skeptesthai & skopein to watch, look at, consider
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to SPY
2spy
noun plural spies
Definition of SPY
1
: one that spies: a : one who keeps secret watch on a person or thing to obtain information b : a person employed by one nation to secretly convey classified information of strategic importance to another nation; also : a person who conveys the trade secrets of one company to another
2
: an act of spying
Examples of SPY
- He was a spy for the CIA.
- My coworker is a spy for the boss.
First Known Use of SPY
13th century
Related to SPY
- Synonyms
- agent, asset, emissary, intelligencer, mole, operative, spook, undercover, secret agent, undercover agent
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