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Definition of Spy in English :

Define Spy in English

Spy meaning in English

Meaning of Spy in English

Pronunciation of Spy in English

Spy pronunciation in English

Pronounce Spy in English

Spy

see synonyms of spy

Noun

1. spy, undercover agent

(military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors

2. spy

a secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people

Example Sentences:
'my spies tell me that you had a good time last night'

Verb

3. descry, espy, spot, spy

catch sight of

4. sleuth, snoop, spy, stag

watch, observe, or inquire secretly

5. sight, spy

catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes

Example Sentences:
'he caught sight of the king's men coming over the ridge'

6. spy

secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage

Example Sentences:
'spy for the Russians'

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Spy

see synonyms of spy
nounWord forms: plural spies
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
verbWord forms: spies, spying or spied
4. (intransitive; usually foll by on)
to keep a secret or furtive watch (on)
5. (intransitive)
to engage in espionage
6. (transitive)
to catch sight of; descry

Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Spy

see synonyms of spy
verb transitiveWord forms: spied or ˈspying
1. 
to watch or observe closely and secretly, usually with unfriendly purpose
often with out
2. 
to catch sight of; make out; perceive; see
verb intransitive
3. 
to watch or observe closely and secretly; specif., to act as a spy
4. 
to make a close examination or careful inspection
nounWord forms: plural spies
5. 
a person who keeps close and secret watch on another or others
6.  US
a person employed by a government to get secret information about or monitor the affairs, plans, armed forces, etc. of another government
7. 
a person employed by a company, as in industry or commerce, to discover the business secrets of another company
8.  Rare
an act of spying
adjective
9. 
of or about spies or espionage
10. 
used for purposes of military espionage
spy plane, spy satellite

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Spy

see synonyms of spy
n. pl. spies (spīz)
1. One who secretly collects information concerning the enemies of a government or group.
2. One who secretly collects information for a business about one or more of its competitors.
3. One who secretly keeps watch on another or others.
v. spied (spīd), spy·ing, spies (spīz)
v.tr.
1. To watch or observe secretly: was sent to spy out the enemy camp.
2. To discover by close observation: "[They] are continually prowling about on all three decks, eager to spy out iniquities" (Herman Melville).
3. To catch sight of; see: spied the ship on the horizon.
v.intr.
1. To engage in espionage.
2. To investigate or observe something, especially in secret: spying into the neighbor's activities.

The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2018 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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