detective

¹de·tec·tive

adj \di-ˈtek-tiv\

Definition of DETECTIVE

1

: fitted for or used in detecting something <had perfected his detective sensibilities>

2

: of or relating to detectives or their work <a detective novel>

— de·tec·tive·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of DETECTIVE

1. We had to do some detective work to find out who used to own the property.
2. He enjoys reading detective novels.

First Known Use of DETECTIVE

1732

Rhymes with DETECTIVE

advective, affective, bijective, collective, connective, convective, corrective, defective, deflective, directive, effective, elective, ejective, infective, inflective, injective, invective, objective, perfective, perspective, projective, protective, reflective, respective, selective, subjective