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

As interest in the film continued to grow, Dennis became determined to untangle the complicated rights, and some detective work led him to discover that the movie was now owned by Amazon/MGM. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 24 July 2026

Since Magdalen is all emotion and no ratiocination, No Name might seem to tease that the real detective character is split across the two sisters. — Literary Hub, 24 July 2026

Noun

Chapman, the internal affairs detective, made an initial court appearance Friday on charges of felony misconduct in public office and misdemeanor misuse of a GPS device. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

This investigation remains active as detectives continue efforts to determine whether the juvenile or others may be connected to additional incidents. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 July 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