private detective

American  

noun

1. a detective who is not a member of an official force but is employed by private parties.

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private detective British  

noun

1. Also called: private investigator.  an individual privately employed to investigate a crime, keep watch on a suspected person, or make other inquiries

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Etymology

Origin of private detective

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

She said a private detective hired by the family found no criminal records for a person named Paramjit Singh in the state, suggesting authorities may have mistaken him for someone else.

From BBC

The move was recommended by the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel report, which looked at the force's handling of the unsolved murder of private detective Daniel Morgan.

From BBC

Marten's family also hired a private detective to find her.

From BBC

Wearing a blue shirt and a peach headwrap, he told the jury that private detectives hired by Marten's family were following them and observing them.

From BBC

She said her family had hired two firms of private detectives and she felt it was "like a cat and mouse game".

From BBC

Related Words

• detective
• gumshoe
• private eye
• private investigator
• sleuth