Spy: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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