spook

C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes

US /spuk/ UK /spuːk/ See IPA manual

noun verb

Meanings

1

noun
a ghost; also a slang term for a spy, or to frighten

A sudden noise spooked the horses in the field.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a ghost; also a slang term... ghost phantom specter apparition spy frighten startle

Word family

Derived forms spookyspooked

Related forms spooky

Etymology

From Dutch spook ('ghost, apparition'), from Middle Dutch spooc, of Germanic origin.

spook Dutch

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Topics

Actions & Processes Register & Style

# spook

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun, verb
**IPA (US):** spuk
**IPA (UK):** spuːk

## Meanings
1. a ghost; also a slang term for a spy, or to frighten

## Examples
- A sudden noise spooked the horses in the field.

## Synonyms
- ghost
- phantom
- specter
- apparition
- spy
- frighten
- startle

## Derived Forms
- spooky
- spooked

## Related Forms
- spooky

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: spook

## Etymology
From Dutch spook ('ghost, apparition'), from Middle Dutch spooc, of Germanic origin.

## AI Etymology
Spook comes from Dutch spook ('ghost, apparition'), from Middle Dutch spooc, of Germanic origin. The form is best read as a historical transfer or inheritance, with its older language material carrying the main semantic load. As a noun and verb, it denotes "a ghost; also a slang term for a spy, or to frighten", keeping the historical idea close to its dictionary sense. Relevant historical forms include Dutch spook. Derivative forms include spooky, spooked; related words include spooky.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Register & Style

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spook

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