sleuth

American  

[slooth] / sluθ /

noun

1. a detective.

   Synonyms:

   shamus, gumshoe, private eye, private investigator, investigator

2. a bloodhound, a dog used for tracking.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to track or trail, as a detective.

sleuth British  

/ sluːθ /

noun

1. an informal word for detective

2. short for sleuthhound

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verb

1. (tr) to track or follow

Other Word Forms

• sleuthlike adjective
• supersleuth noun

Etymology

Origin of sleuth

First recorded in 1875–80; short for sleuthhound

Example Sentences

ABC’s ‘R.J. Decker’ stars Scott Speedman as the titular detective reminiscent of Jim Rockford, whereas Prime Video’s ‘Young Sherlock’ gives Arthur Conan Doyle’s sleuth an origin story.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

This semi-comedic and definitely cozy amateur sleuth series is perfect multigenerational viewing.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2025

George Cross, the hero of a mystery series by Tim Sullivan, is an unconventional sleuth in the great British tradition that extends from Father Brown to the Thursday Murder Club.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

But she’s a reluctant sleuth in a knotty case with a head full of noise and a shaky hand on the lighter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

Nancy Drew is a smart and resourceful teenage sleuth who began solving mysteries in the 1930s and continues to solve them to this day.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Related Words

• gumshoe
• private detective
• private eye