Detectives — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun

Meaning & Definition of Detectives

Detectives (noun)

  1. one employed or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible
  2. a person who is employed (as by a hotel) to prevent disorderly or improper conduct of patrons
  3. private investigator

Detectives (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons

    "the code used by the serial killer in his letters to the police was actually cracked by an amateur detective"

    similar: dicks, gumshoes, hawkshaws, investigators, operatives, private detectives, private eyes, private investigators, shamuses (slang), sherlocks, sleuthhounds, sleuths
    related: shadows, tails, tracers, trackers, Federals, feds, G-men, narcs (slang), plainclothesmen

Related Entry: Detective (noun)

Detective is a different word from Detectives. The synonyms below are for detective, not for detectives.

  1. a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons

    "the code used by the serial killer in his letters to the police was actually cracked by an amateur detective"

    similar: dick, gumshoe, hawkshaw, investigator, operative, private detective, private eye, private investigator, shamus (slang), sherlock, sleuth, sleuthhound
    related: shadow, tail, tracer, tracker, fed, Federal, G-man, narc (slang), plainclothesman

Related Entry: Private detectives (noun)

Private detectives is a different word from Detectives. The synonyms below are for private detectives, not for detectives.

  1. a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons

    "when the police insisted that it was an accident and not murder, she hired a private detective"

    similar: detectives, dicks, gumshoes, hawkshaws, investigators, operatives, private eyes, private investigators, shamuses (slang), sherlocks, sleuthhounds, sleuths
    related: shadows, tails, tracers, trackers, Federals, feds, G-men, narcs (slang), plainclothesmen

Related Entry: Private detective (noun)

Private detective is a different word from Detectives. The synonyms below are for private detective, not for detectives.

  1. a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons

    "when the police insisted that it was an accident and not murder, she hired a private detective"

    similar: detective, dick, gumshoe, hawkshaw, investigator, operative, private eye, private investigator, shamus (slang), sherlock, sleuth, sleuthhound
    related: shadow, tail, tracer, tracker, fed, Federal, G-man, narc (slang), plainclothesman

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Detectives

The most common words with a similar meaning to Detectives:

Slang: shamuses
dicks, gumshoes, hawkshaws, investigators, operatives, private detectives, private eyes, private investigators, sherlocks, sleuthhounds, sleuths

Related Words for Detectives

shadows, tails, tracers, trackers, Federals, feds, G-men, narcs, plainclothesmen

Origin & Etymology of Detectives

First known use: 1842

Frequently Asked Questions about Detectives

What does "Detectives" mean?

"Detectives" means one employed or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible. As a noun, it is defined as: one employed or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible.

What is another word for "Detectives"?

Other words for "Detectives" include dicks, gumshoes, hawkshaws, investigators, operatives, private detectives, private eyes and private investigators. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Detectives" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Detectives"?

There are 21 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Detectives". Common alternatives include dicks, gumshoes, hawkshaws, investigators, operatives, private detectives, private eyes, private investigators, shamuses and sherlocks.

How do you use "Detectives" in a sentence?

Examples of "Detectives" in a sentence: "the code used by the serial killer in his letters to the police was actually cracked by an amateur detective".

Is "Detectives" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Detectives" is a noun.

What is the origin of the word "Detectives"?

First known use: 1842.

What is another word for "Detectives" meaning "a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons"?

When "Detectives" (noun) means a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons, synonyms include dicks, gumshoes, hawkshaws, investigators, operatives and private detectives.

What words are related to "Detectives"?

Words related to "Detectives" include shadows, tails, tracers, trackers, Federals, feds, G-men and narcs.