English · Word Candidate

spy

/spaɪ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: spies · spying · spied

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A person who secretly watches and examines the actions of other individuals or organizations and gathers information on them (usually to gain an advantage).

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

người bí mật theo dõi và kiểm tra hành động của các cá nhân hoặc tổ chức khác và thu thập thông tin về họ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

The dead leap at the throat, destroy The meaning of the day; dark forms Have scaled your walls, and spies betray Old secrets to amorphous swarms.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A defensive player assigned to cover an offensive backfield player man-to-man when they are expected to engage in a running play, but the offensive player does not run with the ball immediately.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

người chơi phòng thủ được giao nhiệm vụ bao phủ một cầu thủ phía sau của đội tấn công một cách紧密 khi họ dự kiến sẽ tham gia vào một cuộc chạy, nhưng cầu thủ tấn công không chạy với quả bóng ngay lập tức

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To act as a spy.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

hành động như một điệp viên

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

During the Cold War, Russia and America would each spy on each other for recon.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To spot; to catch sight of; to espy.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Nhìn thấy; phát hiện; bắt gặp

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

I think I can spy that hot guy coming over here.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “spy” mean?

A person who secretly watches and examines the actions of other individuals or organizations and gathers information on them (usually to gain an advantage).

Is “spy” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.