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

The ranks of the four serving officers being investigated for gross misconduct are commander, detective chief inspector, detective sergeant and detective constable.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Thomas Pynchon hasn’t lost a step with his 1930s tale about the misadventures of a Milwaukee cheese heiress and the detective that travels to proto-fascist Budapest to find her.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

While he didn’t have any updates for her, the conversation with Jessica apparently struck a chord, and he asked a homicide detective named Anthony Stafford to review Cynthia’s case.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Horry County Police Department detective Alan Jones had briefed Tamasi by phone while they were both en route.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

I might not have been doing much detective work playing ghost-in-the-graveyard with Flora this past week.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Related Words

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