English Reference

Word

detective

Phoneticsde·tec·tive, stress on the second syllable

US/dɪˈtɛktɪv/

UK/dɪtˈɛktɪv/

Definitions

01police investigator

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Law

n. a police officer whose job is to find information and solve crimes.

n. a police officer assigned to investigate crimes and gather evidence for prosecution.

“The detective arrived at the house to look for fingerprints and talk to witnesses.”

“The lead detective spent weeks reviewing the forensic evidence before making a formal arrest in the high-profile case.”

Synonyms

investigatorinspector

02private investigator

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a person you hire to find out secret information for you.

n. a private individual hired to conduct investigations or surveillance on behalf of a client.

“She hired a private detective to find her missing brother.”

“The private detective provided the client with a detailed report regarding the subject's movements over the previous weekend.”

Synonyms

private eyePI

03related to investigation

B1 · Intermediate

adj. used to describe work or stories about solving crimes.

adj. relating to the work of a detective or the process of investigation.

“I love reading detective novels because I like trying to guess who did it.”

“The author is famous for her intricate detective fiction, which often features a brilliant but eccentric protagonist.”

Synonyms

investigative

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “detective” in context.

01. detective work

Etymology

The adjective is from Classical Latin dētēct-, past participial stem of dētegō (“to detect”), + -ive. The noun is an ellipsis of detective policeman, detective officer, or a similar construction.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

surmisedtailing

Idioms

01. detective work

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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