C1noun 10K+

Spy

🇬🇧 UK /["/spaɪ/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/spaɪ/"]/

Meaning of Spy

a person who tries to get secret information about another country, organization or person, especially somebody who is employed by a government or the police

In simple words: A person who secretly watches or gathers information about others.

Spy in a sentence

• The spy successfully infiltrated the enemy's headquarters to gather confidential information.
• She worked as a spy during the Cold War, passing messages between secret agents.
• The company hired a spy to uncover the rival firm’s strategy.
• Some animals are natural spies in the wild, watching their surroundings quietly.
• Using a tiny camera, he became a spy to record secret meetings without being noticed.

How to use Spy

Use 'spy' in both informal and formal contexts. It can refer to espionage or simply watching someone closely. It's not appropriate in casual conversations unless joking.

Grammar pattern

spy + object

Memory hint

Picture a spy in dark sunglasses, hiding behind a newspaper to remember the secretive nature of the word.

Related words

Collocations with Spy

• enemy
• foreign
• government
• network
• act as
• be
• work as
• infiltrate
• film
• movie
• novel
• spy for

Synonyms for Spy

• snoop
• surveillance agent
• secret agent
• informant
• watcher

Opposites of Spy

• friend
• ally
• supporter

Common mistakes with Spy

• Confused with 'spying' as a noun vs adjective.
• Using 'spy' without an object (e.g., 'I spy' needs a target, like 'I spy a bird').
• Using 'spy' in the past tense incorrectly (e.g., 'spied' is correct, not 'spied on').

Frequently asked questions about Spy

What does Spy mean?

A person who secretly watches or gathers information about others.

What is the definition of Spy?

a person who tries to get secret information about another country, organization or person, especially somebody who is employed by a government or the police

How do you use Spy in a sentence?

The spy successfully infiltrated the enemy's headquarters to gather confidential information.

Can you give another example of Spy?

She worked as a spy during the Cold War, passing messages between secret agents.

What are synonyms for Spy?

Common alternatives include snoop, surveillance agent, secret agent, informant, watcher.

What is the opposite of Spy?

Opposite meanings include friend, ally, supporter.

What words go with Spy?

It commonly pairs with enemy, foreign, government, network, act as, be, work as, infiltrate, film, movie, novel, spy for.

What are common mistakes when using Spy?

Confused with 'spying' as a noun vs adjective. Using 'spy' without an object (e.g., 'I spy' needs a target, like 'I spy a bird'). Using 'spy' in the past tense incorrectly (e.g., 'spied' is correct, not 'spied on').

How do you pronounce Spy?

US: /["/spaɪ/"]/, UK: /["/spaɪ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Spy?

Use 'spy' in both informal and formal contexts. It can refer to espionage or simply watching someone closely. It's not appropriate in casual conversations unless joking.

What CEFR level is Spy?

"Spy" is at C1 level on the CEFR scale.