noun
gumshoe
GUHM-shoo
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.”
noun
1
A private detective (originally so called because rubber-soled shoes let them move quietly).
"The gumshoe followed the suspect for three blocks without being noticed."
2
A rubber overshoe or sneaker.
"He pulled a pair of gumshoes over his boots to cross the muddy yard."
verb
1
To work as a detective, especially by quietly trailing someone.
"She spent the summer gumshoeing for a downtown law firm."
How to use gumshoe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old slang word for a private detective, from the quiet rubber shoes they supposedly wore.
When to use it
Informal and a bit old-fashioned, mostly seen in noir fiction and crime films.
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Word forms
- Plural
- gumshoes
- Third person singular
- gumshoes
- Past tense
- gumshoed
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.
Related words
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).
