detective

1 of 2

adjective

de·​tec·​tive di-ˈtek-tiv How to pronounce detective (audio)
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 adjective

detective

2 of 2

noun

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
After the conclusion of the games, In-ho/The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) leaves the baby and the prize money with his detective brother, Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon), meaning Jun-hee's baby got a happy ending. Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 2 July 2025 Netflix 'Squid Game' Lives On With a Hollywood Twist The island where the games are held is eventually tracked down by detective Jun-ho (played by Wi Ha-jun), who has been on a quest to locate the remote gaming facility after initially infiltrating it back in Season 1 disguised as a pink guard. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Noun
The victim’s relatives showed detectives a photo of Ackerman and the victim in the same area the victim’s body had been located, according to an affidavit. Caroline Zimmerman july 7, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025 Meanwhile, back at the Marine Mammal Care Center, the scientific detective work is about to begin. Npr Staff, NPR, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for detective

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of detective was in 1732

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detective. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

detective

1 of 2 adjective
de·​tec·​tive di-ˈtek-tiv How to pronounce detective (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on detective

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