different between detector vs detective

English

Etymology

From detect +? -or (agent noun forming suffix).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d??t?kt?(?)/
• Rhymes: -?kt?(?)

Noun

detector (plural detectors)

1. A device capable of registering a specific substance or physical phenomenon, and that optionally sounds an alarm or triggers a warning.
   1. An indicator showing the depth of the water in a boiler.
   2. A galvanometer, usually portable, for indicating the direction of a current.

Derived terms

• detectorist
• lie detector
• smoke detector

Translations

Anagrams

• cottered

Dutch

Etymology

Borrowed from English detector.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?de??t?k.t?r/
• Hyphenation: de?tec?tor
• Rhymes: -?kt?r

Noun

detector m (plural detectors, diminutive detectortje n)

1. detector

Derived terms

• metaaldetector

Related terms

• detecteren
• detectie

Descendants

• ? Indonesian: detektor

Romanian

Etymology

From French détecteur

Noun

detector n (plural detectoare)

1. detecter

Declension

Spanish

Noun

detector m (plural detectores)

1. detector

Derived terms

Related terms

• detectar

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d??t?kt?v/
• Rhymes: -?kt?v

Noun

detective (plural detectives)

1. (law enforcement) A police officer who looks for evidence as part of solving a crime; an investigator.
2. A person employed to find information not otherwise available to the public.

Synonyms

• (law enforcement): DT (abbreviation), Det (abbreviation)
• (person employed to find information): private detective, private investigator
• (person employed to find information): (slang) dick, private dick
• sleuth

Derived terms

Related terms

Descendants

Translations

Adjective

detective (not comparable)

1. Employed in detecting.

Asturian

Noun

detective m or f (plural detectives)

1. detective

Galician

Noun

detective m (plural detectives)

1. detective

Further reading

• “detective” in Dicionario da Real Academia Galega, Royal Galician Academy.

Portuguese

Noun

detective m (plural detectives)

1. Alternative form of detetive

Spanish

Etymology

From English detective.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dete??tibe/, [d?e.t?e???t?i.??e]

Noun

detective m or f (plural detectives)

1. detective

Usage notes

• detective may be masculine or feminine, but the less common detectiva exists for female detectives as well.

Derived terms

• detective privado
• detectivesco

Further reading

• “detective” in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014.