2spy verb
spies; spied; spy·ing 1 [no obj] : to try secretly to get information about a country, organization, etc. : to act as a spy
▪ They were accused of spying for a foreign government. — often + on ▪ They were accused of spying on a rival company. 2 [+ obj] : to see or notice (someone or something)
▪ She spied [=caught sight of] a friend in the crowd.
▪ They were accused of spying for a foreign government. — often + on ▪ They were accused of spying on a rival company.
▪ She spied [=caught sight of] a friend in the crowd.
spy on [phrasal verb]
spy on (someone or something) : to watch (someone) secretly
▪ He spies on his neighbors. ▪ Have you been spying on me? — see also 2spy 1 (above)
▪ He spies on his neighbors. ▪ Have you been spying on me? — see also 2spy 1 (above)
spy out [phrasal verb] 1 spy (something) out or spy out (something) : to notice, find, or learn about (something) by looking often in a secret way
▪ They were trying to spy out the enemy's position. 2 spy out the land chiefly Brit : to find or get more information about a situation secretly and before making a decision
▪ They were trying to spy out the enemy's position.
