de·tec·tive
di-ˈtek-tiv 
1
: fitted for or used in detecting something
had perfected his detective sensibilities
2
: of or relating to detectives or their work
a detective novel
: one employed or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible
Synonyms
Examples of detective in a Sentence
Adjective
We had to do some detective work to find out who used to own the property.
He enjoys reading detective novels.
Noun
She is a detective on the police force.
Detective Sgt. Lee is working on the case.
She hired a detective to follow her husband.
Recent Examples on the Web
Liza Foreman, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Oct. 2024
Getting to the bottom of all of this requires a little bit of detective work.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Essence, 23 Oct. 2024
Backed by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the crime thriller is set in 1920s Singapore and follows a rookie detective investigating a murder on an offshore penal colony in Malaya, uncovering a secret botanical experiment in the process.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detective 
Adjective
In a twist on other Sherlock adaptations, Watson focuses on medical mysteries instead of detective tales.
—Liza Foreman, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Oct. 2024
Getting to the bottom of all of this requires a little bit of detective work.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Noun
The show centers on Alex Cross, an astute detective and forensic psychologist who is deeply committed to his family but equally consumed by his work.
—Essence, 23 Oct. 2024
Backed by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the crime thriller is set in 1920s Singapore and follows a rookie detective investigating a murder on an offshore penal colony in Malaya, uncovering a secret botanical experiment in the process.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detective
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detective.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detective. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detective
1 of 2 adjective
de·tec·tive
di-ˈtek-tiv
: of or relating to detectives or their work
a detective story
detective
2 of 2 noun
: a person whose business is solving crimes and catching criminals or gathering information that is not easy to get
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