spyware
noun
Simple meaning
Programs that surreptitiously monitor and report the actions of a computer user.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
spywerSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈspaɪwɛɹ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
Internet
Programs that surreptitiously monitor and report the actions of a computer user.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- A2 · Elementary (estimated)
- Frequency
- Common
- Typical Use
- Varies by meaning
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: (Internet) Programs that surreptitiously monitor and report the actions of a computer user.
Used this way, spyware is a specialist word with a clearly unfavourable pull. This is a computing use: it carries a fixed technical meaning inside software and systems work.
- Emotional tone
- Negative
- Formality
- Specialist/technical
- Intensity
- Gentle
- How common
- Specialized
- Connotation
- Serious and weighty
- Usage feel
- Clinical and detached
Where it naturally appears
- Technology
- Technical/specialist writing
- Business/professional
Usage note
In general conversation this sense usually needs explaining — outside its field, people reach for a plainer word.
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use spyware
- “My computer was running slowly because it had some spyware.”noun
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
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What Does It Mean Here?
Words can change meaning depending on context.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.