Dictionary
private investigator
noun
: someone who works as a detective and who is not a member of a police force
Full Definition of PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR
: 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)
See private investigator defined for English-language learners
See private investigator defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR
1940
Related to PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR
- Synonyms
- dick, gumshoe, hawkshaw, investigator, operative, private detective, private eye, detective, shamus [slang], sherlock, sleuth, sleuthhound
Learn More About PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: private judgePrevious Word in the Dictionary: private insuranceAll Words Near: private investigator
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up private investigator? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).