spook

1 of 2

noun

1
2
: an undercover agent : spy
spookish adjective

spook

2 of 2

verb

spooked; spooking; spooks

transitive verb

1
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for spook

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of spook was in 1801

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spook. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

spook

1 of 2 noun

spook

2 of 2 verb
: to make or become frightened : scare

More from Merriam-Webster on spook

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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