Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

detective

/dɪˈtɛktɪv/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.21 in modern English

Syllables
de-tec-tive
IPA
/dɪˈtɛktɪv/
15
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A work of detective fiction.

verb

To be or act as or like a detective.

Informal; Intransitive verb

verb

To investigate or find information about (someone or something) as or like a detective.

Informal; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

The adjective is from Classical Latin dētēct-, past participial stem of dētegō (“to detect”), + -ive. By surface analysis, detect + -ive. Noun sense 1 is an ellipsis of detective policeman, detective officer, or a similar construction. The later more general noun sense 2 was derived by extension. The verb is also from the noun. Noun sense 3 (“a work of detective fiction”) is a semantic loan from Dutch detective and Russian детекти́в (detektív), both from English.

Word Breakdown

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

detective gag detective story detective work house detective detective chief inspector detective chief superintendent detective constable detective inspector

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce detective?
The recorded pronunciation is /dɪˈtɛktɪv/.
What does detective mean?
A police officer tasked with collecting evidence and information in order to solve a crime; an investigator.
Where does detective come from?
The adjective is from Classical Latin dētēct-, past participial stem of dētegō (“to detect”), + -ive. By surface analysis, detect + -ive. Noun sense 1 is an ellipsis of detective policeman, detective officer, or a similar construction. The later more general noun sense 2 was derived by extension. The verb is also from the noun. Noun sense 3 (“a work of detective fiction”) is a semantic loan from Dutch detective and Russian детекти́в (detektív), both from English.

How to pronounce detective

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “detective”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/dɪˈtɛktɪv/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “detective”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “detective” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.