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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
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
Leaf’s deputy and private investigator grilled several town clerks and managed to seize one voting machine, according to local reports and the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
—Rich Schapiro, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2024
As John Black, across more than 4,200 episodes, Hogestyn was a spy, mercenary, police officer, private investigator and secret agent.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2024
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
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Word History
First Known Use
1940, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of private investigator was
in 1940
Dictionary Entries Near private investigator
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/private%20investigator. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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)
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