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
: 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
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
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Nov. 2025
One result of the surge in third-country deportations has been the creation of a detective agency of sorts, comprising attorneys, human-rights groups, and flight-tracking experts.
—Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
The action moves to upstate New York for Wake Up Dead Man, and Daniel Craig returns as the detective tasked with solving a mystery.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detective
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Adjective
The company also has a detective crime dramedy and a satire about image maintenance in development.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Nov. 2025
One result of the surge in third-country deportations has been the creation of a detective agency of sorts, comprising attorneys, human-rights groups, and flight-tracking experts.
—Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Noun
The person who shot Rice remained on the scene and has been cooperating with detectives.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
The action moves to upstate New York for Wake Up Dead Man, and Daniel Craig returns as the detective tasked with solving a mystery.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detective
Cite this Entry
“Detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detective. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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