Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

shamus

noun

/ˈʃeɪ.məs/

Definition

A private detective or investigator, often used in a somewhat informal or colloquial context.

Examples

The novel’s protagonist is a shamus navigating the seedy underbelly of the city.
When the police couldn’t solve the case, they hired a shamus for a fresh perspective.
He always fancied himself as a shamus, solving mysteries that baffled the authorities.

Meaning

Typically refers to a person who looks into crimes or investigates suspicious activities, particularly in a manner that’s more personal and less formal than police work.