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
a police detective
hired a private detective
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
Peter White, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
Lily is the quickest to figure out the detective stories that George reads them every evening in the field, but otherwise smarts count for little in a quiet life of grazing and dozing.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Calumet Area detectives were investigating.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detective
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Adjective
Private Eyes West Coast is a spinoff of Canadian detective comedy drama that ran for five seasons.
—Peter White, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
Lily is the quickest to figure out the detective stories that George reads them every evening in the field, but otherwise smarts count for little in a quiet life of grazing and dozing.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
His story changed when detectives told him about Limon’s phone records.
—Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Calumet Area detectives were investigating.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detective
Cite this Entry
“Detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detective. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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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