detective

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /dɪˈtɛktɪv/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Noun

Singular detective

Plural detectives

1. (countable) A detective is a person who tries to find information to help people or solve crimes, usually a non-patrol police officer.

   He hired a private detective to find the missing art.

   Police detectives were examining the house where the body was found.

Related words

• detect
• detector
• detection
• detectable