Spy: meaning, definitions and examples

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spy

[spaɪ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

secret agent

A person employed by a government or other organization to secretly obtain information on an enemy or competitor.

Synonyms

agent, operative, undercover.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spy	Used to describe someone who secretly collects information about an enemy or competitor. Often has a negative or dramatic connotation. James Bond is a famous spy in movies. The company suspected that there was a spy leaking their trade secrets.
agent	Used to describe a person who works on behalf of a government or organization to gather information or complete a task. Often used in an official or formal context. The secret agent completed his mission successfully. She works as an agent for the FBI.
operative	Used to describe someone who carries out secret operations, often for a government or military organization. The term is more neutral and professional. The undercover operative gathered crucial intelligence. Operatives were deployed to gather information on the target.
undercover	Used to describe someone who is secretly working within an organization or environment to gather information or perform a task. Commonly used in law enforcement and investigative contexts. The undercover officer was able to infiltrate the gang. He went undercover to expose the corruption within the company.

Examples of usage

The spy managed to infiltrate the enemy's headquarters without being detected.
The spy transmitted the classified information back to headquarters.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

sneaky person

A person who secretly keeps watch on others or seeks to obtain confidential information.

Synonyms

eavesdropper, intruder, snoop.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spy	This term is commonly used in the context of espionage, where someone is gathering secret information for a government or organization. The spy infiltrated the enemy's headquarters to gather intelligence. She worked as a spy during the war.
eavesdropper	This word is used when someone secretly listens to conversations. It generally has a negative connotation. He felt uncomfortable when he realized there was an eavesdropper outside the door. Eavesdroppers never hear anything good about themselves.
snoop	This term is used when someone pries into others' private business or belongings. It has a negative connotation. She didn't appreciate her roommate snooping through her things. Snooping around in someone's private life is both disrespectful and intrusive.
intruder	This term is used for someone who enters a place without permission, often with the intent to cause harm or steal. Has a negative connotation. The alarm went off when the intruder broke into the house. Intruders are often caught by surveillance cameras.

Examples of usage

She felt like her coworker was always spying on her to gather information.
He suspected that his neighbor was a spy, always listening in on conversations.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

observe secretly

To secretly observe or gather information on someone or something.

Synonyms

monitor, observe, surveil.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spy	Spy is often used when someone is secretly watching or gathering information, usually for a government or military purpose. It has a negative connotation. The government accused him of being a spy for a foreign country She decided to spy on her coworkers to find out who was stealing office supplies
observe	Observe is used to describe watching something carefully, especially for scientific, educational, or analytical purposes. It does not carry a negative connotation. The scientist observed the behavior of the animals in their natural habitat The teacher observed the students as they worked on their project
monitor	Monitor is used in more neutral contexts to describe watching or checking the progress of something over a period of time. It is often used in technology, healthcare, or education. The nurse will monitor your vital signs every hour The IT team is monitoring the network for any unusual activity
surveil	Surveil is used in formal contexts, often relating to law enforcement or security. It describes the systematic and continuous observation of a person or group. The police decided to surveil the suspect to gather more evidence The company installed cameras to surveil the premises for security purposes

Examples of usage

He tried to spy on the meeting through the keyhole.
The journalist was accused of spying on the celebrity's private life.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The practice of espionage dates back to ancient civilizations, including Egypt and China, where spies were used to gather secrets in warfare.
The word 'spy' likely comes from the Old French 'espier,' which means 'to watch' or 'to look out.'
During the American Revolutionary War, both the British and American forces relied heavily on spies to gain tactical advantages.

Pop Culture

James Bond, a fictional character created by Ian Fleming, is perhaps the most famous spy in movies, known for his gadgets and suave personality.
The popular animated series 'Kim Possible' features a teenage spy who balances high school life with saving the world, appealing to a younger audience.
In literature, George Orwell's '1984' explores themes of surveillance and control, raising questions about privacy and espionage.

Science

Psychological techniques used by spies often involve understanding human behavior and emotional cues to gather information without detection.
In modern technology, cybersecurity experts often act as 'spies' to protect information by detecting and countering unauthorized access.
Satellites serve as high-tech 'spies' by capturing images from space, providing crucial intelligence for national defense and environmental monitoring.

Literature

Many novels and stories feature spies, including 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy', which dives into the complexities of betrayal and loyalty.
Spies appear as critical characters in multiple genres, showcasing a blend of mystery, adventure, and moral dilemmas.
The theme of espionage is explored in children's literature too, with stories involving young detectives who unravel secrets within their schools.

Psychology

The art of spying often involves deception, requiring a deep understanding of trust and how easily it can be manipulated.
Studies in psychology reveal that secrecy can lead to anxiety and stress for both the spy and their targets, highlighting the emotional aspects of espionage.
Spies must develop strong observational skills and intuition, allowing them to assess situations and people quickly and accurately.

Translations

Translations of the word "spy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 espião

🇮🇳 जासूस

🇩🇪 Spion

🇮🇩 mata-mata

🇺🇦 шпигун

🇵🇱 szpieg

🇯🇵 スパイ

🇫🇷 espion

🇪🇸 espía

🇹🇷 casus

🇰🇷 스파이

🇸🇦 جاسوس

🇨🇿 špion

🇸🇰 špión

🇨🇳 间谍

🇸🇮 vohun

🇮🇸 njósnari

🇰🇿 тыңшы

🇬🇪 ჯაშუში

🇦🇿 casus

🇲🇽 espía

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,795 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
9792 unused
9793 inaugurated
9794 underwent
9795 spy
9796 subdivided
9797 handy
9798 slag
...