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Detective vs. Spy — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Detective and Spy

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Definitions

Detective

A detective is an investigator, usually a member of a law enforcement agency. They often collect information to solve crimes by talking to witnesses and informants, collecting physical evidence, or searching records in databases.

Spy

One who secretly collects information concerning the enemies of a government or group.

Detective

A person, usually a member of a police force, who investigates crimes and obtains evidence or information.

Spy

One who secretly collects information for a business about one or more of its competitors.

Detective

Of or relating to detectives or their work
Detective novels.

Spy

One who secretly keeps watch on another or others.
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Detective

Suited for or used in detection.

Spy

To watch or observe secretly
Was sent to spy out the enemy camp.

Detective

(law enforcement) A police officer who looks for evidence as part of solving a crime; an investigator.

Spy

To discover by close observation
"[They] are continually prowling about on all three decks, eager to spy out iniquities" (Herman Melville).

Detective

A person employed to find information not otherwise available to the public.

Spy

To catch sight of; see
Spied the ship on the horizon.
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Detective

Employed in detecting.

Spy

To engage in espionage.

Detective

Fitted for, or skilled in, detecting; employed in detecting crime or criminals; as, a detective officer.

Spy

To investigate or observe something, especially in secret
Spying into the neighbor's activities.

Detective

One who business it is so detect criminals or discover matters of secrecy.

Spy

A person who secretly watches and examines the actions of other individuals or organizations and gathers information on them (usually to gain an advantage).

Detective

A police officer who investigates crimes

Spy

(intransitive) To act as a spy.
During the Cold War, Russia and America would each spy on each other for recon.

Detective

An investigator engaged or employed in obtaining information not easily available to the public

Spy

(transitive) To spot; to catch sight of.
I think I can spy that hot guy coming over here.

Spy

(intransitive) To search narrowly; to scrutinize.

Spy

(transitive) To explore; to see; to view; inspect and examine secretly, as a country.

Spy

To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.
One, in reading, skipped over all sentences where he spied a note of admiration.

Spy

To discover by close search or examination.
Look about with your eyes; spy what things are to be reformed in the church of England.

Spy

To explore; to view, inspect, and examine secretly, as a country; - usually with out.
Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof.

Spy

To search narrowly; to scrutinize.
It is my nature's plagueTo spy into abuses.

Spy

One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others.

Spy

A person sent secretly into an enemy's camp, territory, or fortifications, to inspect his works, ascertain his strength, movements, or designs, and to communicate such intelligence to the proper officer.

Spy

(military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors

Spy

A secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people;
My spies tell me that you had a good time last night

Spy

Catch sight of

Spy

Watch, observe, or inquire secretly

Spy

Secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage;
Spy for the Russians

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