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detective

de·tec·tive
D d

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [dih-tek-tiv]
    • /dɪˈtɛk tɪv/
    • /dɪˈtek.tɪv/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [dih-tek-tiv]
    • /dɪˈtɛk tɪv/

Definitions of detective word

  • countable noun detective A detective is someone whose job is to discover what has happened in a crime or other situation and to find the people involved. Some detectives work in the police force and others work privately. 3
  • noun detective In Britain 'detective' is used before words such as 'constable' or 'sergeant', and in the U.S. the word 'detective' is used on its own, to indicate that a police officer is a member of the department concerned with investigating crimes. 3
  • adjective detective A detective novel or story is one in which a detective tries to solve a crime. 3
  • noun detective a police officer who investigates crimes 3
  • noun detective (as modifier) 3
  • adjective detective used in or serving for detection 3

Information block about the term

Origin of detective

First appearance:

before 1830
One of the 36% newest English words
First recorded in 1830-40; detect + -ive

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Detective

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

detective popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 95% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

detective usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for detective

noun detective

  • sleuth — a detective. Synonyms: investigator, private investigator; private eye, gumshoe, shamus.
  • reporter — a person who reports.
  • agent — A chemical that has a particular effect or is used for a particular purpose can be referred to as a particular kind of agent.
  • spy — a person employed by a government to obtain secret information or intelligence about another, usually hostile, country, especially with reference to military or naval affairs.
  • police officer — any policeman or policewoman; patrolman or patrolwoman.

Top questions with detective

  • how to become a detective?
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  • how to become a police detective?
  • how long does it take to be a detective?
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  • why did detective stabler leave law and order?
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  • when will detective conan end?
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  • how to become a detective in nyc?

See also

Matching words

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