private eye

noun

Synonyms of private eyenext

Examples of private eye in a Sentence

unable to get the interest of the police, they hired a private eye to find their missing daughter
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Because this is a Jean-Luc Godard film, only Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine), a rumpled American private eye who seems to have stepped straight out of one of the classic Hollywood noirs Godard loved. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026 The Palladino Files – When legendary private eye Jack Palladino is murdered, one of his old targets, Ronan Farrow,takes up the case. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026 Krysten Ritter plays Jessica Jones, a former superhero battling PTSD and working as a private eye. David Faris, TheWeek, 20 Apr. 2026 The untitled half-hour project is a workplace comedy set in the world of private detectives, which continues the proud tradition of Los Angeles private eyes that began with Philip Marlowe and will end with this show. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for private eye

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of private eye was in 1938

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Cite this Entry

“Private eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/private%20eye. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

Legal Definition

private eye

noun
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