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View synonyms for

detective

[ dih-tek-tiv ]

noun

  1. a member of the police force or a private investigator whose function is to obtain information and evidence, as of offenses against the law.


adjective

  1. of or relating to detection or detectives:

    a detective story.

  2. serving to detect; detecting:

    various detective devices.

detective

/ ɪˈɛɪ /

noun

    1. a police officer who investigates crimes
    2. ( as modifier )

      a detective story

“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

adjective

  1. used in or serving for detection
  2. serving to detect
“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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of detective1

First recorded in 1830–40; detect + -ive
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The BBC revealed detectives have also been reviewing the deaths of D'Wit's father and grandfather in case he had killed them and avoided detection.

From

Homicide detectives interviewed several people who knew Lee in 2004, but couldn’t determine who killed her and the case grew cold.

From

Happily together again after a dozen years, London and Kelly are the shadow subjects of the show, like detectives in a procedural.

From

Homicide detectives later determined that the assailants entered Modebadze’s home, assaulted him, held him captive and stole his property, according to a statement issued by LAPD.

From

It's an album of stunning poetic clarity and emotion – typified by the title track, an old-time country-rock ballad inspired by her love of detective novels.

From

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