spying
/ˈspaɪ.ɪŋ/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: spyings
Meaning · English
espionage; the act of secretly gathering information
Noun
Examples
There are two ways in which the obsessive character of jealousy tends to exert itself: one is in the need to know, the endless tests and investigations and spyings that are so characteristic of jealousy.
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 “spying” mean?
espionage; the act of secretly gathering information
Is “spying” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.