detective

[dih-tek-tiv]

noun

1. a member of the police force or a private investigator whose function is to obtain information and evidence, as of offenses against the law.

adjective

1. of or relating to detection or detectives.

   a detective story.

2. serving to detect; detecting.

   various detective devices.

detective

/ dɪˈtɛktɪv /

noun

1. 1. a police officer who investigates crimes

   2. See private detective

   3. ( as modifier )

      a detective story

adjective

1. used in or serving for detection

2. serving to detect

Word History and Origins

Origin of detective¹

First recorded in 1830–40; detect + -ive

Example Sentences

A call to detectives for more information was not immediately returned.

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The Feb. 22 incident, recounted in a detective’s affidavit, began on Grindr, a hookup app for gay men.

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Apart from “The Drowning Pool,” all these films are set in Los Angeles; “Drowning Pool” features Paul Newman as an L.A.-based detective tracking a case in Louisiana.

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The federal affidavit says authorities tapped Nania’s phones as detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department worked with FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents to unravel drug networks in the harbor area.

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Williams, of Thornwood, Epping, was identified by detectives in footage wearing a Union Jack flag as a cape, the court heard.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• agent 
• informer 
• police officer 
• private eye 
• private investigator 
• prosecutor 
• reporter 
• sleuth 
• spy