sleuth
Sleuth (noun) means a detective, especially a skilled one who investigates crimes or mysteries. Example: “The amateur sleuth pieced together clues the police had missed.”
How to use sleuth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA detective, or the act of investigating something like one.
Slightly old-fashioned or playful compared to plain "detective" or "investigate."
Word forms
sleuthed past tense, sleuths plural, sleuths plural, sleuths singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The amateur _____ pieced together clues the police had missed.
Etymology
A shortening of "sleuthhound," an old word for a bloodhound used to track people.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “sleuth” mean?
The word “sleuth” means a detective, especially a skilled one who investigates crimes or mysteries. In plain terms, a detective, or the act of investigating something like one.
How do you pronounce “sleuth”?
“Sleuth” is pronounced slooth (/sluːθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sleuth” in a sentence?
Here is “sleuth” used in a sentence: “The amateur sleuth pieced together clues the police had missed.”
What part of speech is “sleuth”?
Depending on how it is used, “sleuth” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “sleuth” have?
“Sleuth” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a detective, especially a skilled one who investigates crimes or mysteries.