detective

/dɪˈtektɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈtektɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈtek-tiv/ (ame, mw)

detective — noun

  • detectivesingular
  • detectivesplural

1. a member of the police who specialises in solving crimes by examining clues and

1.名詞A2
釋義

a member of the police who specialises in solving crimes by examining clues and interviewing people involved

例句

Detective Vivek studied the fingerprints found on the stolen car.

detective + studies + evidence (fingerprints)

The young detective asked the shop owner what time the robbery happened.

detective + asks + witness — typical investigation verb

同義詞
  • investigator

    broader term — can be a detective, but also refers to other roles (insurance investigator, private investigator)

  • inspector

    often a specific rank in some police forces; more formal than 'detective'

常見錯誤

❌The detective looked at the crime
✅The detective investigated the crime.
💡'look at' is too casual; 'investigate' or 'examine' are the expected verbs for professional work.

2. a word placed before a police rank such as Sergeant or Inspector to show the off

2.名詞B1
釋義

a word placed before a police rank such as Sergeant or Inspector to show the officer works on investigating crimes

例句

Detective Sergeant Heloísa assigned each officer a different area of the city to check.

Detective Sergeant — specific rank title

The promotion to Detective Inspector meant a transfer to a larger station.

用法筆記

Always appears before another rank word (Constable, Sergeant, Inspector, Chief Inspector) as part of a full title. The combination is usually capitalised when used as a named role.

常見錯誤

❌He works as a detective sergeant for the city police.
✅He works as a Detective Sergeant for the city police.
💡When used as a formal title, both parts are capitalised.

3. a person who is paid by a client to find information about people, businesses, o

3.名詞B1
釋義

a person who is paid by a client to find information about people, businesses, or personal matters, usually not working for the police

例句

The family hired a private detective to find their missing uncle.

private detective — common full phrase

Private detective Nia followed the man for three days to take photographs.

同義詞

用法筆記

Often preceded by 'private' to distinguish from a police detective. In casual speech, 'private eye' or 'PI' are common alternatives.

常見錯誤

❌The police hired a detective to follow the suspect.' (ambiguous — could be police detective or private detective)
✅The police assigned a detective to follow the suspect.' or 'The family hired a private detective.
💡'private' disambiguates the role.

detective — adjective