ENGLISH
REFERENCE

detectives

n. countable
A2 Elementary US //dɪˈtɛktɪvz// UK //dɪtˈɛktɪvz// de·tec·tives

n. people whose job is to find information and solve crimes. They look for clues and talk to witnesses to find out what happened.

n. investigators, either within a police force or in private practice, tasked with gathering evidence and solving crimes. Often used to describe the rank above a uniformed officer in a police hierarchy.


SIMPLE

The detectives are looking for clues at the house.

CONTEXTUAL

After interviewing several witnesses, the detectives realized that the suspect had a solid alibi for the night of the robbery.

COMPLEX

While uniformed officers secured the perimeter, the detectives meticulously documented the scene, searching for any forensic evidence that might link the two separate incidents.

Synonyms
Usage

The plural form of 'detective'; can refer to a specific job title or a general role in an investigation.

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