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
Seth Doane, CBS News, 7 June 2026
His photo was accidentally uploaded to the Love Island USA app and quickly shared on Reddit, prompting fans to immediately go into detective mode.
—Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
In a search of Westmoreland’s cellphone, detectives found several phone calls and text messages between Westmoreland and Siffre in the days prior to the shooting, Johnson said.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for detective
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Adjective
But divining Gaudí's intentions has required detective work, because during the Spanish Civil War, anarchists protesting the Catholic Church set fire to parts of the structure, and smashed Gaudí's models into 8,000 pieces.
—Seth Doane, CBS News, 7 June 2026
His photo was accidentally uploaded to the Love Island USA app and quickly shared on Reddit, prompting fans to immediately go into detective mode.
—Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Noun
After investigating, detectives learned that Martinez had assaulted his girlfriend with a knife prior to the invasion.
—Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
In a search of Westmoreland’s cellphone, detectives found several phone calls and text messages between Westmoreland and Siffre in the days prior to the shooting, Johnson said.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for detective
Cite this Entry
“Detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detective. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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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