detective

¹de·tec·tive

adjective \di-ˈtek-tiv\

Definition of DETECTIVE

1

: fitted for or used in detecting something <had perfected his detective sensibilities>

2

: of or relating to detectives or their work <a detective novel>

— de·tec·tive·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of DETECTIVE

1. We had to do some detective work to find out who used to own the property.
2. He enjoys reading detective novels.

First Known Use of DETECTIVE

1732

Rhymes with DETECTIVE

advective, affective, bijective, collective, connective, convective, corrective, defective, deflective, directive, effective, elective, ejective, infective, inflective, injective, invective, objective, perfective, perspective, projective, protective, reflective, respective, selective, subjective

²detective

noun

Definition of DETECTIVE

: one employed or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible

Examples of DETECTIVE

1. She is a detective on the police force.
2. Detective Sgt. Lee is working on the case.
3. She hired a detective to follow her husband.

First Known Use of DETECTIVE

1849

Related to DETECTIVE

Synonyms

dick, gumshoe, hawkshaw, investigator, operative, private detective, private eye, private investigator, shamus [slang], sherlock, sleuth, sleuthhound

Related Words

shadow, tail, tracer, tracker; fed, Federal, G-man, narc (or nark) [slang], plainclothesman