shamus
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for shamus, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Informal American slang for a private detective.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
American slang, said to come from the Irish name Seamus, reflecting how many early American police officers were Irish immigrants.
Full origin of shamus →Frequently asked questions
What does “shamus” mean?
The word “shamus” means informal American slang for a private detective.
How do you pronounce “shamus”?
“Shamus” is pronounced SHAH-muhs (/ˈʃɑːməs/ in IPA).
How do you use “shamus” in a sentence?
Here is “shamus” used in a sentence: “The old crime novel followed a hard-boiled shamus around 1940s Los Angeles.”
What part of speech is “shamus”?
“Shamus” is a noun.
Where does the word “shamus” come from?
The word “shamus” comes from Irish. American slang, said to come from the Irish name Seamus, reflecting how many early American police officers were Irish immigrants.