noun
shamus
SHAH-muhs
Shamus (noun) means informal American slang for a private detective. Example: “The old crime novel followed a hard-boiled shamus around 1940s Los Angeles.”
noun
1
Informal American slang for a private detective.
"The old crime novel followed a hard-boiled shamus around 1940s Los Angeles."
How to use shamus
Learner’s notes
When to use it
Old-fashioned, mostly seen in detective fiction and film noir rather than everyday speech.
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Word forms
- Plural
- shamuses, shami
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The old crime novel followed a hard-boiled _____ around 1940s Los Angeles.
Etymology
American slang, said to come from the Irish name Seamus, reflecting how many early American police officers were Irish immigrants.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for shamus
See all rhymes for 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.
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