spynoun | verb 1 spy / spaI ; spaI /noun (plural spies) C 1. someone whose job is to find out secret information about another country, organization, or group间谍;SYNsecret agent British / Russian / foreign etc
•spy a Soviet spy苏联间谍
spy ring / network ( = an organized group of spies )间谍网 spy plane / satellite间谍飞机/卫星
2 spyverb spied, spying, spies 1.Ito secretly collect information about an enemy country or an organization you are competing against从事间谍活动; 秘密收集情报: [+ on ]
•He was charged with spying on British military bases.他被指控刺探英国军事基地情报。
[+ for ]
•He confessed to spying for North Korea.他招供了为北韩从事间谍活动。
2.Tliteraryto suddenly see someone or something, especially after searching for them〔尤指通过搜索后〕突然看见,突然发现;SYNspot
•Ellen suddenly spied her friend in the crowd.埃伦突然在人群中看到了她的朋友。
PHRASAL VERBS spy on sb to watch someone secretly in order to find out what they are doing监视,窥探:
•She sent you to spy on me, didn't she?她派你来监视我,对不对?
spy sth ↔ out 1. to secretly find out information about something暗中查明 2.spy out the landBrEto secretly find out more information about a situation before deciding what to do〔作决定前〕暗中摸清情况