sleuth

American  

[slooth] / sluθ /

noun

• sleuths
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• supersleuth
  noun
• sleuthlike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• sleuths
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of sleuth

First recorded in 1875–80; short for sleuthhound

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Explanation

Sleuth is a fun, sometimes playful, word for "detective." As a verb, it's also what a detective does. When you seek clues, you sleuth. You, sleuth, you! The word sleuth comes from the Old Norse sloth, meaning "trail" and sleuthing is following a trail. One type of bloodhound skilled at following trails is called a sleuthhound, and that word was shortened to sleuth in the late 19th Century, referring to an investigator. As an amateur sleuth, you caught the robber dressed as a mummy before the police did. He would have escaped if not for you, you meddling sleuth!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sleuth sleuths

The anonymous online sleuth said the stolen funds had been routed through multiple accounts opened on crypto exchange platforms.

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

One new sleuth is Carter Church, a 27-year-old AI engineer who decrypted a 19th-century letter to one of Napoleon's generals.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

So is Adeline Rudolph as Renee Birdwhistle, the secretary at Neagley’s detective agency and budding sleuth who rises to each treacherous occasion with remarkable—some might say unbelievable—skill.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Arable farmers may soon be able to stop slugs eating their crops thanks to research by a Shropshire-based university and the work of "slug sleuth" farmers.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

“She hid…her fear because she knows I’m a tremendous sleuth and would immediately uncover everything.”

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Many online sleuths were quick to pull out clips from Ethan’s past that might have foreshadowed this incident, including in Oct.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026

The two series return—for seasons 2 and 5, respectively—with their idiosyncratic sleuths and generally more charming casts of supporting characters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Digital sleuths have for years misidentified accused perpetrators of high-profile shootings and other crimes, exposing them to abuse.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

Online sleuths have also tried to locate the addresses of the so-called Cornell Seven, leading to at least one case of mistaken identity.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

"You bet I will," he replied, "and I believe I 'll hire three or four little sleuths to go round with me all the time, and see that nobody 'does' me."

From Checkers A Hard-luck Story by Henry M. Blossom

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Related Words

• gumshoe
• private detective
• private eye

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