spy

Pluralspies

Formsspies, spying, spied

1. 1
   nouncountable

   Someone who secretly watches people or groups to collect hidden information, often for an enemy or a government.

   Like a hidden camera that watches and remembers things people don't want seen.

   The spy slipped into the building to copy secret files.

   Two spies were caught passing notes near the embassy.

   Similaragent, operative, mole, informer, informant

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2. 2
   verbintransitive

   To work secretly as someone who collects hidden information about people or groups.

   He agreed to spy for the rebels during the war.

   She spied on her rivals for months without being caught.

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3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To suddenly see or notice something, often from far away.

   From the deck you can spy land on the horizon.

   She spied a familiar face in the crowd and hurried over.

   Similarspot, glimpse, see, notice, sight

   Oppositemiss, overlook

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4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To secretly explore and examine a place, such as enemy land, in order to learn about it.

   Scouts were sent ahead to spy the land before the army advanced.

   They spied the enemy camp from a ridge and counted the tents.

   Similarscout, reconnoiter, survey, explore

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5. 5
   verbintransitive

   To look very closely and carefully in order to find or check something.

   She spied carefully through the papers, looking for any mistake.

   Investigators spy into every detail before they make a decision.

   Similardelve, probe, pry, look

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6. 6
   nouncountable

   In football, a defender assigned to closely watch one offensive player who might run with the ball.

   Like a guard who follows one player everywhere instead of watching the whole field.

   The coach put a spy on their fast quarterback.

   The defense used a spy to keep the runner from breaking free.

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