B1nouncrimelaw
US/dɪˈtek.tɪv/
UK/dɪˈtek.tɪv/
a person, often a police officer, whose job is to find out who committed a crime
In context
The detective questioned everyone who had been at the party.
She loves reading detective novels on long train journeys.
A private detective was hired to find the missing necklace.
Words that go with detective
adjective + noun
- private detectiveHe worked as a private detective for ten years.
noun + noun
- detective storyThis detective story kept me awake all night.
- detective novelShe writes a detective novel every year.
- detective workFinding the leak took some careful detective work.
- detective agencyThe detective agency solved the case in a week.
verb + noun
- hire a detectiveThey hired a detective to follow him.