Spook

Spook is a term with multiple meanings in English. As a noun, it most often denotes a ghost or supernatural being, used in folklore, literature, and everyday speech to describe a specter or apparition. In slang, spook can refer to a spy or intelligence operative, particularly in Cold War and recent contexts, with the plural “spooks” used for members of the intelligence community or for intelligence operations. The term can also function as an insult when used as a racial slur directed at Black people; such usage is widely regarded as offensive and inappropriate in modern discourse.

Etymology traces spook to the Dutch word spook, meaning ghost or apparition, borrowed into English with senses related to ghosts and later extended metaphorically to secret or hidden figures, including spies.

Usage notes: in media and popular culture, spook appears in titles and dialogue related to ghosts or espionage. As slang, it remains informal and can be inappropriate in formal or sensitive contexts. The related adjective spooky, meaning eerie or frightening, shares the same root and is widely used in describing atmospheres, stories, or experiences. Given its potential for offense, the racial slur sense is treated with caution and avoided in respectful communication.