spook C2+ Topic:Communication US /spuk/ UK /spuːk/ See IPA manual 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... ghostphantomspecterapparitionspyfrightenstartle Word family Derived forms spookyspooked Related forms spooky Etymology AI details From Dutch spook ('ghost, apparition'), from Middle Dutch spooc, of Germanic origin. spook Dutch View etymology graph -> Topics Communication Register & Style External links Google Images Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary # spook **Type:** Word **Level:** C2+ **Part of speech:** noun **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 - Communication - Register & Style markdown