Private detective — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun

Meaning & Definition of Private detective

Private detective (noun)

  1. private investigator

Private detective (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  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

Related Entry: Private investigator (noun)

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

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

    "the retired policeman decided to become a private investigator"

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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Private detective

The most common words with a similar meaning to Private detective:

Slang: shamus
detective, dick, gumshoe, hawkshaw, investigator, operative, private eye, private investigator, sherlock, sleuth, sleuthhound

Related Words for Private detective

shadow, tail, tracer, tracker, fed, Federal, G-man, narc, plainclothesman

Origin & Etymology of Private detective

First known use: 1861

Frequently Asked Questions about Private detective

What does "Private detective" mean?

"Private detective" means private investigator. As a noun, it is defined as: private investigator.

What is another word for "Private detective"?

Other words for "Private detective" include detective, dick, gumshoe, hawkshaw, investigator, operative, private eye and private investigator. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Private detective" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Private detective"?

There are 21 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Private detective". Common alternatives include detective, dick, gumshoe, hawkshaw, investigator, operative, private eye, private investigator, shamus and sherlock.

How do you use "Private detective" in a sentence?

Examples of "Private detective" in a sentence: "when the police insisted that it was an accident and not murder, she hired a private detective".

Is "Private detective" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Private detective" is a noun.

What is the origin of the word "Private detective"?

First known use: 1861.

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

When "Private detective" (noun) means a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons, synonyms include detective, dick, gumshoe, hawkshaw, investigator and operative.

What words are related to "Private detective"?

Words related to "Private detective" include shadow, tail, tracer, tracker, fed, Federal, G-man and narc.