gumshoe
Gumshoe (noun) means a private detective (originally so called because rubber-soled shoes let them move quietly). Example: “The gumshoe followed the suspect for three blocks without being noticed.”
How to Use Gumshoe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old slang word for a private detective, from the quiet rubber shoes they supposedly wore.
Informal and a bit old-fashioned, mostly seen in noir fiction and crime films.
Word Forms
gumshoed past tense, gumshoes plural, gumshoes singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ followed the suspect for three blocks without being noticed.
Etymology
From gum (rubber) + shoe — rubber-soled shoes were associated with detectives who could move about unheard.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for gumshoe
See all rhymes for gumshoe →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “gumshoe” mean?
The word “gumshoe” means a private detective (originally so called because rubber-soled shoes let them move quietly). In plain terms, an old slang word for a private detective, from the quiet rubber shoes they supposedly wore.
How do you pronounce “gumshoe”?
“Gumshoe” is pronounced GUHM-shoo (/ˈɡʌm.ʃuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “gumshoe” in a sentence?
Here is “gumshoe” used in a sentence: “The gumshoe followed the suspect for three blocks without being noticed.”
What part of speech is “gumshoe”?
Depending on how it is used, “gumshoe” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “gumshoe” have?
“Gumshoe” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a private detective (originally so called because rubber-soled shoes let them move quietly).