investigator
Britishnoun
Explanation
Every crime novel has an investigator, someone whose job it is to discover the truth. Not all investigators solve crimes, but to be an investigator you need to work hard to figure things out. A private investigator knocks at your door. Do you let him in? He probably only wants to ask questions, because that’s what investigators do: they research. Scientists are investigators, so are police officers, and even your friend who reads lots of books about butterflies can be considered an investigator. Rooted in the Latin word vestigare, meaning “trace out,” investigators gather facts in order to trace out the whole picture.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An investigator from the university police was also spotted talking with employees.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
“The ethical and sort of best practice would be for the attorney general’s office to hire an independent special investigator to look into the complaint,” Gonzalez said.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026
David Snasdell, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said Wagh "systematically targeted a scheme designed to help genuine businesses survive the pandemic".
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
Randell Sharpe, a marine accident investigator in the Bay Area, agreed that a wave probably did not cause the boat to sink.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
But as time went by and no breaks came along, the investigator became discouraged.
From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
