Private investigators — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun

Meaning & Definition of Private investigators

Private investigators (noun)

  1. a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (such as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons)

Private investigators (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

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

Related Entry: Private investigator (noun)

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

  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 investigators

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

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

Related Words for Private investigators

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

Origin & Etymology of Private investigators

First known use: 1940

Frequently Asked Questions about Private investigators

What does "Private investigators" mean?

"Private investigators" means a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (such as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons). As a noun, it is defined as: a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (such as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons).

What is another word for "Private investigators"?

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

What are different ways to say "Private investigators"?

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

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

Examples of "Private investigators" in a sentence: "the retired policeman decided to become a private investigator".

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

"Private investigators" is a noun.

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

First known use: 1940.

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

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

What words are related to "Private investigators"?

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