person of interest

noun phrase

: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested

Examples of person of interest in a Sentence

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.
Neither the woman nor the person of interest is a student, according to the university. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026 The university said the person of interest is not a student or affiliated with the university but has been banned from campus. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 The school said the person of interest's identity was corroborated by key witness statements and video evidence from university cameras and license plate readers. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Reading police have so far called him a person of interest and not a suspect, and authorities have not publicly identified the Massachusetts felony charges referenced during Friday's extradition hearing. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for person of interest

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of person of interest was in 1937

Rhymes for person of interest

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Browse Nearby Words

person of inherence
person of interest
person-to-person
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Cite this Entry

“Person of interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/person%20of%20interest. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

person of interest

: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested
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