detective
dih-TEHK-tihv
Detective (noun) means a police officer or investigator who gathers evidence to solve crimes. Example: “The detective examined the broken window for fingerprints.”
noun
1
A police officer or investigator who gathers evidence to solve crimes.
"The detective examined the broken window for fingerprints."
"A young detective was assigned to the case after the burglary."
"The detective questioned three witnesses before making an arrest."
"He worked as a detective with the agency for five years."
2
A person hired privately to investigate and find information.
"The company employed a detective to find out who was leaking its plans."
"My aunt worked as a detective, tracing people who had lost touch with family."
"She hired a private detective to find her missing brother."
How to use detective
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose job is investigating crimes or finding out hidden information.
Common pairings
private detective
detective inspector
detective novel
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Word forms
- Plural
- detectives
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The _____ examined the broken window for fingerprints.
Etymology
Shortened from "detective officer" — from Latin detegere, "to detect" or "uncover", plus -ive.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for detective
See all rhymes for detective →Frequently asked questions
What does “detective” mean?
The word “detective” means a police officer or investigator who gathers evidence to solve crimes. In plain terms, someone whose job is investigating crimes or finding out hidden information.
How do you pronounce “detective”?
“Detective” is pronounced dih-TEHK-tihv (/dɪˈtɛktɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “detective” in a sentence?
Here is “detective” used in a sentence: “The detective questioned three witnesses before making an arrest.”
What is another word for “detective”?
Words with a similar meaning to “detective” include DT, Det, Det., sleuth, beagle and bloodhound.
What part of speech is “detective”?
“Detective” is a noun.
Where does the word “detective” come from?
The word “detective” comes from Latin. Shortened from "detective officer" — from Latin detegere, "to detect" or "uncover", plus -ive.
Is “detective” a common word?
“Detective” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “detective” have?
“Detective” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a police officer or investigator who gathers evidence to solve crimes.
What is the difference between a 'detective' and a police officer?
All detectives may be police, but not all police officers are detectives. A detective is typically a plainclothes investigator who specialises in gathering evidence and solving crimes, while a uniformed officer handles patrol and general duties.
What is the difference between a 'detective' and a private investigator?
A detective is often a member of a police force who investigates crimes, whereas a private investigator, or private detective, is hired privately by individuals or companies and has no police powers. Both gather evidence and track down information.
What do the letters 'DC', 'DS', and 'DI' mean before a detective's name?
In British policing these show a detective's rank: DC stands for Detective Constable, DS for Detective Sergeant, and DI for Detective Inspector. The 'D' in each stands for Detective.
What is a 'store detective'?
A store detective is a person employed by a shop to watch for and catch shoplifters, usually working in plain clothes among customers. The role uses the investigating sense of detective in a retail setting.
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