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Synonyms

detective

American  
[dih-tek-tiv] / dɪˈtɛk tɪv /

noun

  1. a member of the police force or a private investigator whose function is to obtain information and evidence, as of offenses against the law.

adjective

  1. of or relating to detection or detectives.

    a detective story.

  2. serving to detect; detecting.

    various detective devices.
detective British  
/ dɪˈtɛktɪv /

noun

    1. a police officer who investigates crimes

    2. See private detective

    3. ( as modifier )

      a detective story
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. used in or serving for detection

  2. serving to detect

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of detective

First recorded in 1830–40; detect + -ive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Still, Ms. Worsley—the history detective with the fabulous shoes—has always had a bit of mischief about her.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Grandfather, who puffs on Gauloises cigarettes, resembles Baroness Orczy’s Old Man in the Corner, an armchair detective who solves crimes from the confines of a London tea shop.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

It has also resulted in a legal claim against the department by the widow of one detective.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The lead detective in the original 1999 investigation, retired Det Supt Roy Lambert, refused to answer the BBC's questions about his handling of the initial case, but said he was "very pleased" with Wright's conviction.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

"It's not easy being a detective, Daddy," Nancy said that night at dinner.

From "Sleepover Sleuths: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #1" by Carolyn Keene

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.