private investigator

noun

: a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (such as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons)

Synonyms

• detective
• dick
• gumshoe
• hawkshaw
• investigator
• operative
• private detective
• private eye
• shamus [slang]
• sherlock
• sleuth
• sleuthhound

Examples of private investigator in a Sentence

She hired a private investigator to follow her husband.

the retired policeman decided to become a private investigator

Recent Examples on the Web

The ride got a new storyline that starred Jessica as a private investigator — wearing a trench coat over her iconic outfit. —Victoria Edel, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

In 2021, Disneyland updated Jessica Rabbit’s look in the Anaheim park from her red dress to a trench coat, allegedly more in line with her new career as a private investigator, taking after Bob Hoskins’ Eddie Valliant in the project. —Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Nov. 2024

The funds will help pay for a private investigator, rewards, posters and more. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024

Atlas hired a private investigator to contact Babel Street. —Emma Roth, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

private investigator

noun

: a person who does detective work and is not a member of a police force

Legal Definition

private investigator

noun

: a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons)