gumshoe

[ guhm-shoo ]

noun

1. Slang. a detective.
2. a shoe made of gum elastic or India rubber; rubber overshoe.
3. sneaker ( def 1 ).

verb (used without object)

, gum·shoed, gum·shoe·ing.

1. Slang.
   1. to work as a detective.
   2. to go softly, as if wearing rubber shoes; move or act snoopily or stealthily.

gumshoe

/ ˈɡʌmˌʃuː /

noun

1. a waterproof overshoe
2. a rubber-soled shoe
3. slang.
   a detective or one who moves about stealthily
4. slang.
   a stealthy action or movement

verb

1. slang.
   intr to act stealthily

Word History and Origins

Origin of gumshoe¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; gum ¹ + shoe

Example Sentences

Gorriti is clear on who is behind it: A cabal of “kleptocrats” in Peru’s political and business elites who are in prosecutorial peril due in large part to his crowning gumshoe achievements.

From Seattle Times

Kilpatrick isn’t entirely fresh to the gumshoe storytelling business, having appeared in HBO’s “Perry Mason.”

From Salon

And like Peter Falk’s immortal gumshoe, Elsbeth — who will insert herself unbidden into an investigation — asks a lot of questions, some merely out of curiosity.

From Los Angeles Times

He was famous for his cynical, hard-drinking gumshoe, Philip Marlowe, and lines like: “It was a blonde. A blonde to make a bishop kick a hole in a stained-glass window.”

From New York Times

In that kitchen in 2011, the gumshoe/driving instructor and the attorney/mom forged a partnership.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• detective
• sleuth