spy

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /spaɪ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular spy

Plural spies

1. (countable) A spy is a person whose job is to get secret information.

   James Bond is a famous spy from the books by Ian Fleming.

2. (countable) A spy is a person who watches other people secretly.

   The princess was concerned that a spy with a camera would take photos when she went near the pool.

Verb

Plain form spy

Third-person singular spies

Past tense spied

Past participle spied

Present participle spying

1. To spy is to gather information secretly.

   He was not a rich businessman, he was really spying for the CIA.

2. To spy is to watch someone secretly.

   He spied on the people who entered the Russian embassy.

3. To spy is to see something.

   I thought I could spy someone on top of the mountain.

Related words

• spymaster