Library / English Dictionary

SHERLOCK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information

Synonyms:

operative; PI; private detective; private eye; private investigator; shamus; sherlock

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("sherlock" is a kind of...):

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

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sherlock"):

hotel detective; house detective; house dick (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)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Sherlock Holmes rubbed his hands with delight, and I stared with astonishment at our client.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sherlock Holmes listened with the deepest attention to this singular narrative.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sherlock Holmes was a man who seldom took exercise for exercise’s sake.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, all-comprehensive glances.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sherlock Holmes’s face showed that he was thoroughly taken aback by this new development.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sherlock Holmes was not disappointed in his expectations.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sherlock Holmes’s answer was an astounding one.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sherlock Holmes stopped at a door some little distance from the Carlton, and, cautioning me not to speak, he led the way into the hall.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)