Shamus Meaning in English

word

US

ˈʃeɪməs

SHAY-muss

UK

ʃˈæməs

SHAM-uss

Definition

'Shamus' is a slang term for a private detective or investigator, often used in old detective novels and movies.

Usage & Nuances

Informal, slightly old-fashioned term, often in American English. Common in film noir and detective fiction. Rarely used in modern conversation, but recognized in pop culture and genre writing.

• Spanish: detective (coloquial) - investigador privado
• Portuguese (BR): detetive (gíria) - investigador particular
• Portuguese (PT): detetive (gíria) - investigador privado
• Chinese (Simplified): 侦探（俚语）
• Chinese (Traditional): 偵探（俚語）
• Hindi: जासूस (स्लैंग) - निजी जासूस
• Arabic: محقق خاص (عامية) - مخبر
• Bengali: শামুস - ব্যক্তিগত অনুসন্ধানকারী (স্ল্যাং)
• Russian: шамус - частный детектив (разг.)
• Japanese: シャーマス - 私立探偵（スラング）
• Vietnamese: shamus - thám tử tư (tiếng lóng)
• Korean: 샤머스 - 사설 탐정 (속어)
• Turkish: shamus - özel dedektif (argo)
• Urdu: شامس - پرائیوٹ ڈیٹیکٹیو (سلینگ)
• Indonesian: shamus - thám tử tư (tiếng lóng)

Example Sentences

The shamus followed the suspect through the city streets.

basic

She hired a shamus to find her missing brother.

basic

A shamus is another word for a private detective.

basic

The old movies are full of tough shamus characters with hats and cigars.

natural

You really think you can fool a shamus like me?

natural

He walked in, looking like a real shamus straight out of a noir novel.

natural