spook

1 of 2

noun

ˈspük 

1

: ghost, specter

2

: an undercover agent : spy

spookish

ˈspü-kish 

adjective

spook

2 of 2

verb

spooked; spooking; spooks

transitive verb

1

: haunt sense 3

2

: to make frightened or frantic : scare

especially : to startle into violent activity (such as stampeding)

intransitive verb

: to become spooked

cattle spooking at shadows

Synonyms

Noun

• spy
• operative
• agent

Verb

• frighten
• scare
• terrify
• startle

Examples of spook in a Sentence

Noun

Russia recalled its spooks after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Halloween is the night when spooks and goblins are said to roam abroad.

Verb

The noise spooked the cat.

The little girl was spooked by scary masks.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There are even more spooks in the follow-up season, The Haunting of Bly Manor. —Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025

There will be trick-or-treating, costume contests, spook-tacular inflatables, Halloween crafts and vendor booths to connect with families with community resources. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025

Verb

Dancing with the Stars returns next week for Halloween Night, where the nine remaining couples will spook and delight viewers with their routines. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025

Dumb and Dumber, but left in the middle of the night after getting spooked. —Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Dutch; akin to Middle Low German spōk ghost

First Known Use

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1883, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for spook

• fluke
• juke
• kook
• luc
• luke
• nuke
• puke
• souk
• archduke
• rebuke
• caoutchouc

Kids Definition

spook

1 of 2 noun

ˈspük 

1

: ghost, specter

2

: spy entry 2 sense 2

spook

2 of 2 verb

: to make or become frightened : scare