Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

whodunit

noun

/ˈhuːˌdʌn.ɪt/

Definition

A mystery story or play in which the detective must solve a crime, often a murder, and identify the perpetrator.

Examples

The novel was such a compelling whodunit that I couldn’t put it down.
In the film, the whodunit plot twists kept the audience guessing until the very end.
She enjoys reading whodunits during her free time, especially those set in cozy settings.

Meaning

The term ‘whodunit’ comes from the phrase ‘who done it?’ and refers to a genre of storytelling where the focus is on discovering the person responsible for a crime, typically through clues and deductions.