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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.

Starring Tom Hardy as a "jaded" detective, Havoc tells the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong.

From

He was first interviewed by detectives a month after Emma's body was found.

From

“I want to thank our detectives and officers for their outstanding work in swiftly identifying and apprehending the suspect.”

From

Specialist detectives trawled through thousands of anonymous Encrochat messages which detailed drug deals, firearms sales, and assassination attempts, the NCA said.

From

The review found a detective constable leading the Merseyside grooming investigation had held on to the file even when they were transferred out of the PVP team to help another unit with its workload.

From

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