detective

American  

[dih-tek-tiv] / dɪˈtɛk tɪv /

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.

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adjective

1. of or relating to detection or detectives.

   a detective story.

2. serving to detect; detecting.

   various detective devices.

detective British  

/ dɪˈtɛktɪv /

noun

1. 1. a police officer who investigates crimes

   2. See private detective

   3. ( as modifier )

      a detective story

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adjective

1. used in or serving for detection

2. serving to detect

Etymology

Origin of detective

First recorded in 1830–40; detect + -ive

Explanation

Whether it's a police detective who investigates crimes or a private detective hired to find a missing person, a detective is someone whose job is to find out hard-to-get information. Detective comes from the Latin root detectus meaning to uncover or expose. Detectives detect, or discern and uncover the truth, the way a dog might detect an odor and uncover a bone. Sherlock Holmes, perhaps the most famous detective in fiction, used disguises, deductive reasoning and forensics to solve crimes. "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth," he famously said.

Example Sentences

“There’s a documentary on right now,” Detective Dan Jackson of Austin, Texas, remembers telling an officer in another jurisdiction, who was helping him put DNA evidence together last fall.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Anyone who may have been a victim or has more information about Holguin has been asked to contact Detective Salvador Ponce at the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

"I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Angela's family and friends for their patience and unwavering support to the investigation," said Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who has been leading the investigation.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

Now Stafford and his partner, Detective Julie Evans, hauled six boxes of records and physical evidence into the police department conference room and spread them across the table.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Detective: On the night of May twentieth, there was a fire at the home of Garrett and Beverly Tison.

From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone

Related Words

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