spying

The word “spying” means the act of secretly watching or gathering information; espionage. In plain terms, espionage — secretly observing or collecting information.

“Spying” is pronounced SPEYE-ihng (/ˈspaɪ.ɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “spying” used in a sentence: “He was arrested on charges of spying for a foreign government.”

“Spying” is a noun.

“Spying” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Spying generally refers to secretly watching or gathering information, often with connotations of espionage between rival states, organizations, or individuals, while surveillance is a broader, more neutral term that can include lawful monitoring, such as security cameras. Spying more strongly implies secrecy and a lack of consent from the party being watched.

Not necessarily; spying can be illegal when it violates privacy laws or national security regulations, but some forms of information gathering, such as authorized intelligence work by government agencies, are conducted within a legal framework. The legality depends heavily on the methods used and the jurisdiction involved.

Spying and espionage are closely related, with espionage typically used as the more formal or technical term for the organized act of secretly gathering intelligence, especially in a political or military context. Spying is the more everyday word covering the same basic activity, including less formal or interpersonal cases.