espy

IPA/ɪˈspaɪ/
KK[ˈɛspi]IPA/ɪˈspaɪ/

espy — verb

  • espypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • espieshe / she / it
  • espiedpast simple
  • espying-ing form

1. to notice someone or something suddenly, especially when they are far away or pa

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to notice someone or something suddenly, especially when they are far away or partly hidden from where you are standing

例句

From the ridge, Jabari espied a herd of antelope grazing on the plain below.

espy + noun phrase (distant object in landscape)

Rachel espied her old teacher across the crowded station and hurried over to say hello.

espy + person in a busy setting

同義詞
  • spot

    much more common and neutral; can be used for both physical and abstract noticing

  • glimpse

    emphasises seeing something briefly or incompletely, whereas 'espy' suggests a sudden clear sighting at a distance

  • sight

    slightly formal but less literary than 'espy'; often used for land or objects seen from a ship or aircraft

  • discern

    even more formal than 'espy'; suggests effort in making something out

反義詞
  • miss

    to fail to see something that was present

文法句型

espy + noun phrase (distant or partially hidden object)

用法筆記

Almost always used in literary or narrative writing rather than everyday conversation. The past tense 'espied' is the most common form. The object is typically something distant, small, or at the edge of visibility.

常見錯誤

❌I espied a mistake in the report.
✅I spotted a mistake in the report.
💡'espy' is for physical sighting at a distance, not for noticing errors or abstract things.
❌The detective espied on the suspect.
✅The detective spied on the suspect.
💡'espy' means to suddenly see something; 'spy on' means to watch someone secretly and deliberately.