Gumshoe Meaning in English

word

US

ˈɡəmˌʃu

GUM-shoo

UK

ɡˈʌmʃuː

GUM-shoo

Definition

A 'gumshoe' is a slang or informal word for a detective, especially one who solves crimes by investigating and searching for clues.

Usage & Nuances

'Gumshoe' is informal and a bit old-fashioned, typically used in detective stories or films. Commonly found in phrases like 'private gumshoe' or as a playful way to refer to a detective. Not used in formal speech.

• Spanish: detective (coloquial) - sabueso (informal)
• Portuguese (BR): detetive (gíria) - investigador (informal)
• Portuguese (PT): detetive (gíria) - investigador (informal)
• Chinese (Simplified): 侦探（俚语）
• Chinese (Traditional): 偵探（俚語）
• Hindi: गुप्तचर (अनौपचारिक) - जासूस (स्लैंग)
• Arabic: محقق (عامية) - مفتش (غير رسمي)
• Bengali: গুমশু - গোয়েন্দা (অপচলিত/ইঙ্গিতমূলক)
• Russian: сыщик (разг.) - частный детектив (разг.)
• Japanese: 探偵（たんてい、カジュアル）- ガムシュー（英語由来）
• Vietnamese: thám tử (tiếng lóng) - thám tử tư (khẩu ngữ)
• Korean: 형사 (속어) - 탐정 (옛날식)
• Turkish: dedektif (argo) - özel dedektif (eski tarz)
• Urdu: سراغرساں (غیر رسمی) - جاسوس (غیر رسمی)
• Indonesian: detektif (slang) - mata-mata (slang)

Example Sentences

The gumshoe was hired to find the missing dog.

basic

A good gumshoe always pays attention to details.

basic

He dreamed of becoming a famous gumshoe.

basic

The old gumshoe finally cracked the mysterious case.

natural

You really went full gumshoe to find out who stole your lunch!

natural

Classic movies often feature a hard-boiled gumshoe in a trench coat.

natural