de·tec·tive
di-ˈtek-tiv 
1
: fitted for or used in detecting something
had perfected his detective sensibilities
2
: of or relating to detectives or their work
a detective novel
: one employed or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible
Examples of detective in a Sentence
Adjective
We had to do some detective work to find out who used to own the property.
He enjoys reading detective novels.
Noun
She is a detective on the police force.
Detective Sgt. Lee is working on the case.
She hired a detective to follow her husband.
Recent Examples on the Web
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Watch Bad Boys for Life on Amazon Prime Video (to rent)
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)
Bad Boys: Ride or Die finds the detective duo on a serious mission once again.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
Katt's other notable roles included that of teacher Harry Senate on the school drama Boston Public, crooked finance associate Greg Weinstein in Boiler Room, and detective Frank Duggar in Speakeasy.
—Kat Stinson, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detective
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Adjective
Yet no one else can quite believe that the Mafia have followed cocaine from tough Sicily to sleepy Apulia, least of all the dismissive Bari police chief, who reprimands Pietro for his maverick approach to detective work.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Watch Bad Boys for Life on Amazon Prime Video (to rent)
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)
Bad Boys: Ride or Die finds the detective duo on a serious mission once again.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit detectives are investigating the shooting.
—Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
Katt's other notable roles included that of teacher Harry Senate on the school drama Boston Public, crooked finance associate Greg Weinstein in Boiler Room, and detective Frank Duggar in Speakeasy.
—Kat Stinson, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detective
Cite this Entry
“Detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detective. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detective
1 of 2 adjective
de·tec·tive
di-ˈtek-tiv
: of or relating to detectives or their work
a detective story
detective
2 of 2 noun
: a person whose business is solving crimes and catching criminals or gathering information that is not easy to get
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