shamus
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A private detective; originally, a policeman or police detective.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
“That's what you're here for. Didn't your aunt tell you? She wants you to follow Wilbert Cream and Phyllis about everywhere and see that he doesn't get a chance of proposing.”
“You mean that I'm to be a sort of private eye or shamus, tailing them up? I don't like it,” I said dubiously.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “shamus” mean?
A private detective; originally, a policeman or police detective.
Is “shamus” formal or informal?
shamus is generally slang.