detective

1 of 2

adjective

de·​tec·​tive di-ˈtek-tiv 

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

detectivelike

di-ˈtek-tiv-ˌlīk 

adjective

detective

2 of 2

noun

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

a police detective

hired a private detective

Synonyms of detective

Noun

• investigator
• operative

Examples of detective in a Sentence

Adjective

We had to do some detective work to find out who used to own the property.

He enjoys reading detective novels.

Noun

She is a detective on the police force.

Detective Sgt. Lee is working on the case.

She hired a detective to follow her husband.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

When mice at Patricia Hunt’s lab at Washington State University began losing fetuses with devastating birth defects — facial deformities and missing hindquarters — or failed to reproduce at all, Hunt immediately put on her detective hat. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

While Kersten taps his Swedish security connections for information about Wohmann, the intrepid journalist relies on chutzpah and archival detective work. — Alissa Simon, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Noun

Detectives spoke with another psychic who first reached out to Sophie’s family before detectives followed up with them, police said, adding the psychic had offered services for free. — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Those came in the form of interviews done by a retired Mammoth Lakes, California, police detective by the name of Paul Dostie, who interviewed Manson between 2008 and the cult leader’s death in 2017. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1842, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing detective

• house detective
• private detective

Rhymes for detective

• advective
• affective
• collective
• connective
• convective
• corrective
• defective
• directive
• effective
• elective
• infective
• injective

Kids Definition

detective

1 of 2 adjective

de·​tec·​tive di-ˈtek-tiv 

: of or relating to detectives or their work

a detective story

detective

2 of 2 noun

: a person whose business is solving crimes and catching criminals or gathering information that is not easy to get

Legal Definition

detective

noun

de·​tec·​tive

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

a police detective

hired a private detective