spook

Everyday

1. (informal) A spook is a ghost. tree →
2. To spook someone or an animal is to frighten or startle them suddenly. tree →
3. (informal, US) A spook is a spy. tree →
4. (offensive) "Spook" has also been used as a nasty insult for Black people; it should not be used about people. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and at Halloween, spooks and spooky houses are fun scary things. In nature and farm life, a sudden noise can spook a horse, which may bolt; that is a safety point around horses. In spy stories, spooks are secret agents.

Examples

• The old house was said to be full of spooks. tree →
• The loud bang spooked the horse and it ran off. tree →
• Don't creep up behind me — you spooked me! tree →
• We dressed up as spooks for Halloween. tree →
• The film was about spooks working for the secret service. tree →
• The cat was spooked by its own reflection. tree →
• Walk calmly near horses so you don't spook them. tree →

Note

Adjective: spooky ("a spooky story"). Usually informal. The insult sense is offensive and must never be used. "Spooked" means suddenly frightened.