Shamus — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈshä-məs/ sha·mus

Meaning & Definition of Shamus

Shamus (noun)

  1. police officer
  2. private investigator

Shamus (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a member of a force charged with law enforcement at the local level

    "a hard-bitten L.A. shamus who, when he's not battling crooks, is locking horns with his superiors"

    similar: bobby (British), bull (slang), constable (chiefly British), cop, copper, flatfoot (slang), fuzz, gendarme, lawman, officer, police officer, policeman
    related: patrolman, policewoman, detective, dick, gumshoe, hawkshaw, inspector, investigator, plainclothesman, sherlock, sleuth, sleuthhound, marshal, sheriff, trooper, peace officer, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, constabulary, heat (slang), man, police, police force, operative, private detective, private eye, private investigator
    near: civilian

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

    "he's a shamus who mostly finds evidence to use in divorce cases"

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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Shamus

The most common words with a similar meaning to Shamus:

Slang: bull, flatfoot
British: bobby
Chiefly British: constable
cop, copper, fuzz, gendarme, lawman, officer, police officer, policeman, detective, dick, gumshoe, hawkshaw, investigator, operative, private detective, private eye, private investigator, sherlock, sleuth, sleuthhound

Related Words for Shamus

patrolman, policewoman, inspector, plainclothesman, marshal, sheriff, trooper, peace officer, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, constabulary, heat, man, police, police force, shadow, tail, tracer, tracker, fed, Federal, G-man, narc

Near Antonyms of Shamus

civilian

Origin & Etymology of Shamus

perhaps from Yiddish shames shammes; from a jocular comparison of the duties of a sexton and those of a store detective

First known use: 1925

Frequently Asked Questions about Shamus

What does "Shamus" mean?

"Shamus" means police officer. As a noun, it is defined as: police officer. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Shamus"?

Other words for "Shamus" include bobby, bull, constable, cop, copper, flatfoot, fuzz and gendarme. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Shamus" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Shamus"?

There are 48 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Shamus". Common alternatives include bobby, bull, constable, cop, copper, flatfoot, fuzz, gendarme, lawman and officer.

How do you use "Shamus" in a sentence?

Examples of "Shamus" in a sentence: "a hard-bitten L.A. shamus who, when he's not battling crooks, is locking horns with his superiors"; "he's a shamus who mostly finds evidence to use in divorce cases".

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

"Shamus" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Shamus"?

"Shamus" is pronounced /ˈshä-məs/ and divided into syllables as sha·mus.

What is the origin of the word "Shamus"?

"Shamus" comes from perhaps from Yiddish shames shammes; from a jocular comparison of the duties of a sexton and those of a store detective. First known use: 1925.

What is another word for "Shamus" meaning "a member of a force charged with law enforcement at the local level"?

When "Shamus" (noun) means a member of a force charged with law enforcement at the local level, synonyms include bobby, bull, constable, cop, copper and flatfoot.