private investigator

n. Abbr. PI

A person privately hired to do investigative or detective work. Also called private detective, private eye.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

private investigator - someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information

private detective, private eye, shamus, sherlock, operative, PI

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

hotel detective, house detective - 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

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

And she became so rigid all over that she was not able to turn her head at the clatter of the bell, which caused the private investigator Heat to spin round on his heel.

View in context

My friend suggested that I hire a private investigator (PI), and linked me up with one.

Why Kenyans turn to private investigators

Private investigator Daniel Summers, of Pilgrim Close, Radyr, was found guilty at Maidstone Crown Court of

Private detective illegally obtained data

"People who need a private investigator in any of these regions should always go to someone with experience and proper training and credentials."

Lead Costa Rica Private Investigation Firm WillSpy Expands

Wallace then told the private investigator he wanted his ex-wife killed and asked the investigator if he knew of anyone who would murder her.

Expat tried to hire hitman to kill ex

But the DA's office said Wallace told the private investigator in September that he wanted his ex-wife killed.

Husband is jailed for trying to hire hitman to kill ex; HE OFFERED TO PAY $30,000 FOR THE MURDER

'Private Investigator,' which began airing on Mediacorp Channel 5 on Jan.

Karylle a sassy bait for philandering husbands in Singaporean TV drama

Unbeknownst to the conspirators, however, the private investigator -- himself an Orthodox Jew -- had alerted the FBI.

FBI Nabs Two in Satmar Murder Plot

He added: "I've let my bosses know that in this district, no private investigator has arrived nor have we any information about the missing girl supposedly being here."

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Mr Bebb took the opportunity to set the record straight in the House of Commons, stating: "I highlighted information presented to me by a private investigator who identified a Mr Nigel Roberts and a Mr Dylan Moore as being involved with the site.

GUTO BEBB:GOT IT WRONG OVER BLOG; MP formally retracts accusation over'vicious'ThoughtsofOscar