private detective

Other forms: private detectives

Definitions of private detective

1. noun

   someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information
   synonyms: PI, operative, private eye, private investigator, shamus, sherlock

   types:

   hotel detective, house detective, house dick

   a private detective employed by a hotel or retail store

   inquiry agent

   a private detective

   store detective

   a private detective employed by a merchant to stop pilferage

   type of:

   detective

   an investigator engaged or employed in obtaining information not easily available to the public