Kilo Lingo

l'

masculine

/ɛs.pjɔ̃/

Line drawing of espion
Coloured illustration of espion
#1915 of 5,000 Core 5000

Translation

spy

Word origin

Borrowed from Italian spione, from a Germanic root meaning 'to watch' (Old High German spehon). The same root reached English through Old French espier, giving 'spy' and 'espionage'.

Origin
Italian
Root
spione
English cognates
spy, espionage

Grammar

Gendermasculine
Pluralespions

Examples

' ' .

He has been reading spy novels since he was a child.

L' banc .

The spy left a message under the park bench.

, l' '.

In the film, the spy changes identity three times.

.

She plays a spy in the new series.

transmis l'.

A spy is said to have passed the plans abroad.

Where this fits

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French · Free printables

espion: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the French word "espion" (spy): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is part of lesson 39.