Meaning & use

spy

noun·Everyday

A person employed to secretly gather confidential information, especially for a government or organization.

See it in a sentence

The novel follows a spy who infiltrates an enemy government during wartime.

Authorities arrested a suspected spy attempting to steal classified documents.

A note on using this word

Often paired with "undercover" or "double" to describe the specific role or loyalty of the person involved.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To watch someone secretly, or to catch sight of something suddenly.

From across the street, he spied his old friend entering the cafe.

Make it your own

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