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definitions

private detective

See more synonyms for private detective on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a detective who is not a member of an official force but is employed by private parties.

Origin of private detective

First recorded in 1865–70
Also called private investigator.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for private detective

detective, gumshoe, sleuth, eye, inspector, investigator, operative, PI, beagle, dick, flatfoot, sleuthhound, spotter, tec
British Dictionary definitions for private detective

private detective

noun
  1. an individual privately employed to investigate a crime, keep watch on a suspected person, or make other inquiriesAlso called: private investigator
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012