house detective

See synonyms for house detective on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an employee of a department store, hotel, etc., employed to prevent thefts, violations of regulations, or other forms of misconduct on the part of patrons.

Origin of house detective

1
An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Words Nearby house detective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use house detective in a sentence

  • At this juncture the house detective appeared at the doorway.

    The Ghost Breaker | Charles Goddard
  • The house detective paced through the long rooms twice and made a careful survey of the balcony.

    The White Shield | Myrtle Reed
  • I should like to know if she has had callers, and who they are; also, if the house detective knows anything of her movements?

  • It reminded me to wait with what patience I could summon for the house detective.

    The Firefly Of France | Marion Polk Angellotti
  • Trembling like an aspen, the little maid opened it, and the burly form of a house detective appeared at the entrance.

    The Ghost Breaker | Charles Goddard