private detective

noun

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

private detective

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of private detective¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

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.

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

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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.

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

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Directed by Arthur Penn, who had previously worked with the actor on his breakthrough role in “Bonnie and Clyde,” Hackman plays Harry Moseby, a former pro football player turned L.A. private detective.

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Related Words

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