Sleuth
noun
A person who investigates mysteries, especially a private detective.
The sleuth carefully examined the evidence left at the crime scene.
Often appears as...
- private sleuth
- amateur sleuth
noun
A group of bears.
A sleuth of bears was spotted near the riverbank.
Often appears as...
- sleuth of grizzly bears
- sleuth of polar bears
Usage tips
Scientific
verb
To act as a detective; search for information.
I've been sleuthing around the library for information on the author.
Often appears as...
- sleuth out the truth
- sleuth around
Usage tips
Colloquial
noun
A person who investigates mysteries, especially a private detective.
The sleuth carefully examined the evidence left at the crime scene.
Often appears as...
- private sleuth
- amateur sleuth
noun
A group of bears.
A sleuth of bears was spotted near the riverbank.
Often appears as...
- sleuth of grizzly bears
- sleuth of polar bears
Usage tips
Scientific
verb
To act as a detective; search for information.
I've been sleuthing around the library for information on the author.
Often appears as...
- sleuth out the truth
- sleuth around
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Detective Context
Primarily used for someone solving a mystery or crime, not just any investigator.
The sleuth stepped into the shadowed alley, following the trail of the thief.
Pro Tip 2/3Mystery Genre
Often found in mystery or detective fiction, making it a genre-specific term.
She idolized the cunning sleuths in her favorite detective novels.
Pro Tip 3/3Not All Professionals
'Sleuth' usually refers to private detectives, not to police officers or FBI agents.
Despite not being a cop, the skilled private sleuth had a knack for solving cases.
Pro Tip 1/3Detective Context
Primarily used for someone solving a mystery or crime, not just any investigator.
The sleuth stepped into the shadowed alley, following the trail of the thief.
Pro Tip 2/3Mystery Genre
Often found in mystery or detective fiction, making it a genre-specific term.
She idolized the cunning sleuths in her favorite detective novels.
Pro Tip 3/3Not All Professionals
'Sleuth' usually refers to private detectives, not to police officers or FBI agents.
Despite not being a cop, the skilled private sleuth had a knack for solving cases.
Pro Tip 1/3Detective Context
Primarily used for someone solving a mystery or crime, not just any investigator.
The sleuth stepped into the shadowed alley, following the trail of the thief.
Pro Tip 2/3Mystery Genre
Often found in mystery or detective fiction, making it a genre-specific term.
She idolized the cunning sleuths in her favorite detective novels.
Pro Tip 3/3Not All Professionals
'Sleuth' usually refers to private detectives, not to police officers or FBI agents.
Despite not being a cop, the skilled private sleuth had a knack for solving cases.
Never forget "Sleuth"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Narwhal Tooth PIPE Wild...
detectives thought it was a weapon others thought it might help attract Timmy but no one knew for sure until this dentist stepped up to solve the case yep Martin louia is a dentist really good sleuths have all sorts of skills like
Video examples
How to write like the...
like when a narrator reporting the murder is revealed to be the killer. Outside crime and clues, there’s one more ingredient in Christie’s the detective. Christie created many sleuths,
Video examples
Narwhal Tooth PIPE Wild...
detectives thought it was a weapon others thought it might help attract Timmy but no one knew for sure until this dentist stepped up to solve the case yep Martin louia is a dentist really good sleuths have all sorts of skills like
Video examples
How to write like the...
like when a narrator reporting the murder is revealed to be the killer. Outside crime and clues, there’s one more ingredient in Christie’s the detective. Christie created many sleuths,
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Manny Farber
American Artist
The Big Sleep' is an unsentimental, surrealist excitement in which most of the men in Hollywood's underworld are murdered and most of the women go for an honest but not unwilling private sleuth (Humphrey Bogart).
Quote examples
Charlie Kirk
American Activist
You don't need a brilliant sleuth like Sherlock Holmes to figure out that the claims of Trump-Russia collusion were false. The bumbling Inspector Clouseau could have figured it out.
Quote examples
Lucy Worsley
When I was little, all I really wanted out of my life was to become Nancy Drew. I've always enjoyed fictional sleuths, especially Nancy.
Quote examples
Marcia Muller
American Author
Women in mystery fiction were largely confined to little old lady snoops - amateur sleuths - who are nurses, teachers, whatever.
Quote examples
Diane Mott Davidson
American Author
In a mystery, the sleuth must be believably involved and emotionally invested in solving the crime.
Quote examples
Manny Farber
American Artist
The Big Sleep' is an unsentimental, surrealist excitement in which most of the men in Hollywood's underworld are murdered and most of the women go for an honest but not unwilling private sleuth (Humphrey Bogart).
Quote examples
Charlie Kirk
American Activist
You don't need a brilliant sleuth like Sherlock Holmes to figure out that the claims of Trump-Russia collusion were false. The bumbling Inspector Clouseau could have figured it out.
Quote examples
Lucy Worsley
When I was little, all I really wanted out of my life was to become Nancy Drew. I've always enjoyed fictional sleuths, especially Nancy.
Quote examples
Marcia Muller
American Author
Women in mystery fiction were largely confined to little old lady snoops - amateur sleuths - who are nurses, teachers, whatever.
Quote examples
Diane Mott Davidson
American Author
In a mystery, the sleuth must be believably involved and emotionally invested in solving the crime.
Example 1 of 5
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension