detective

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

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