Ask Difference

Peek vs. Spy — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Peek and Spy

ADVERTISEMENT

Definitions

Peek

To glance quickly.

Spy

One who secretly collects information concerning the enemies of a government or group.

Peek

To look or peer furtively, as from a place of concealment.

Spy

One who secretly collects information for a business about one or more of its competitors.

Peek

To be only partially visible, as if peering or emerging from hiding
Tiny crocuses peeked through the snow.
ADVERTISEMENT

Spy

One who secretly keeps watch on another or others.

Peek

A brief or furtive look.

Spy

To watch or observe secretly
Was sent to spy out the enemy camp.

Peek

(informal) To look slyly, or with the eyes half closed, or through a crevice; to peep.

Spy

To discover by close observation
"[They] are continually prowling about on all three decks, eager to spy out iniquities" (Herman Melville).
ADVERTISEMENT

Peek

(informal) To be only slightly, partially visible, as if peering out from a hiding place.

Spy

To catch sight of; see
Spied the ship on the horizon.

Peek

To retrieve (a value) from a memory address.

Spy

To engage in espionage.

Peek

A quick glance or look.

Spy

To investigate or observe something, especially in secret
Spying into the neighbor's activities.

Peek

To look surreptitiously, or with the eyes half closed, or through a crevice; to peep.

Spy

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

Peek

A secret look

Spy

(intransitive) To act as a spy.
During the Cold War, Russia and America would each spy on each other for recon.

Peek

Throw a glance at; take a brief look at;
She only glanced at the paper
I only peeked--I didn't see anything interesting

Spy

(transitive) To spot; to catch sight of.
I think I can spy that hot guy coming over here.

Spy

(intransitive) To search narrowly; to scrutinize.

Spy

(transitive) To explore; to see; to view; inspect and examine secretly, as a country.

Spy

To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.
One, in reading, skipped over all sentences where he spied a note of admiration.

Spy

To discover by close search or examination.
Look about with your eyes; spy what things are to be reformed in the church of England.

Spy

To explore; to view, inspect, and examine secretly, as a country; - usually with out.
Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof.

Spy

To search narrowly; to scrutinize.
It is my nature's plagueTo spy into abuses.

Spy

One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others.

Spy

A person sent secretly into an enemy's camp, territory, or fortifications, to inspect his works, ascertain his strength, movements, or designs, and to communicate such intelligence to the proper officer.

Spy

(military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors

Spy

A secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people;
My spies tell me that you had a good time last night

Spy

Catch sight of

Spy

Watch, observe, or inquire secretly

Spy

Secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage;
Spy for the Russians

Popular Comparisons

Featured Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Phrases