detectorist

noun

de·​tec·​tor·​ist di-ˈtek-t(ə-)rist 

plural detectorists

chiefly British

: one who uses a portable metal detector as a hobby

The trove was discovered in October near Watlington, 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of London, by 60-year-old James Mather, an amateur treasure-seeker who called the find "every detectorist's dream."

—Alastair Grant

The third, known as the Crosby Garrett Helmet, was found in a field in 2010 by a metal detectorist who wants to remain anonymous. It was sold at auction for $3.6 million.

—Brad Smithfield

Examples of detectorist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The numismatist said the cache was found by a lucky metal detectorist, who handed it over to local authorities. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025

Take the quiz here … HISTORICAL HUNCH – Metal detectorist's 'feeling' leads to massive Roman settlement discovery in tourist hotspot. —FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025

In the United Kingdom, a recent catalyst of discovery came in the form of two centuries-old weapons discovered by a metal detectorist. —Irene Wright july 9, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025

Archaeologists recently unearthed a hoard of early medieval treasures on the banks of an inlet in northern Germany, all thanks to a metal detectorist. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above