private detective

• Détective professionnel qui n'appartient pas à la police d'État, généralement engagé par des particuliers ou des organisations pour mener des enquêtes, des surveillances ou recueillir des preuves.

A professional investigator who is not a member of a public police force, typically hired by individuals or organizations to conduct surveillance, gather evidence, or solve cases.

1. Professional investigatorB2formal

   A person who is hired to conduct investigations, gather evidence, and perform surveillance, often for private clients.

   détective privé

   • The private detective was hired to find the missing heir.
   • She worked as a private detective for over a decade.
   • The private detective followed the suspect for several days.

2. Fictional characterA2informal

   A common character in mystery novels, films, and television shows who solves crimes.

   détective privé (personnage de fiction)

   • Sherlock Holmes is the most famous private detective in literature.
   • The movie features a tough private detective in New York.
   • She loves reading books about a private detective in Los Angeles.