Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

whodunnit

Noun
/huːˈdʌnɪt/
Definition
A genre of mystery fiction in which a detective solves a crime, typically a murder.
Examples
  • The classic whodunnit kept readers guessing until the last page.
  • Many popular movies, like ‘Knives Out’, qualify as modern whodunnits.
  • In her latest novel, the author masterfully crafted a whodunnit that left everyone surprised.
Meaning
The term ‘whodunnit’ refers to a story or novel where the central plot revolves around figuring out who committed a crime, usually challenging the reader to uncover clues along with the characters.
Synonyms
  • Mystery
  • Detective story
  • Crime fiction