private detective

noun

1. a detective who is not a member of an official force but is employed by private parties.

private detective

noun

1. an individual privately employed to investigate a crime, keep watch on a suspected person, or make other inquiries Also calledprivate investigator

Word History and Origins

Origin of private detective¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Related Words

• detective
• gumshoe
• private eye
• private investigator
• sleuth