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to spy
01
to secretly observe someone
Transitive: to spy on sb
Examples
During the Cold War, intelligence agencies would spy on rival nations to gather classified information.
Private investigators may be hired to spy on individuals for legal or investigative purposes.
02
to see or glimpse something briefly or from a distance
Transitive: to spy sb/sth
Examples
She spied a bird perched on the windowsill while she was working.
I spied him across the room and waved to get his attention.
03
to secretly gather information about enemies, competitors, or others
Intransitive: to spy for sb | to spy on an enemy or rival
Examples
During the Cold War, many people were recruited to spy for their countries.
The government suspected that several employees were secretly spying for foreign intelligence agencies.
Spy
01
someone who is employed by a government to obtain secret information on another person, country, company, etc.
Examples
The spy used hidden cameras to gather intelligence on the enemy ’s activities.
The spy's mission was to uncover secrets that could influence international relations.
02
a person who secretly observes or watches others without their knowledge
Examples
He acted like a spy, watching his neighbors from the window.
Children sometimes play at being spies during hide-and-seek.
Lexical Tree
spying
spy
