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

The novel is plainly an allegory for America’s current fraught moment, but it’s also a lively neo-noir filled with tough-talking detectives, politicos and journalists, and rife with canny plot twists.

From Los Angeles Times

The Metropolitan Police said detectives seized electronic devices from Bartlett and recovered nearly 6,000 indecent images of children.

From BBC

BTP has said its detectives will apply to amend the indictment to reflect the victim's death.

From BBC

One detective told the BBC the couple had "spiralled downwards" into a belief system that drove them "into the ground".

From BBC

In those cases, he said, detectives verify the identity of the person in question and get their assurance that everything is OK.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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