gumshoe

1 of 2

noun

gum·​shoe ˈgəm-ˌshü How to pronounce gumshoe (audio)
Synonyms of gumshoenext
: detective

gumshoe

2 of 2

verb

gumshoed; gumshoeing

intransitive verb

: to engage in detective work

Synonyms of gumshoe

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Noun

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Examples of gumshoe in a Sentence

Noun the couple paid a gumshoe to look for their missing son
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
It’s been a decent summer so far for plucky British gumshoes. — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 30 June 2026 Referring to himself with words like spy, detective, gumshoe, Wilbur pulls all kinds of sleuth-like maneuvers to find out ingredients and amounts used in the recipes. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026 Alas, by then the cheese heiress has skipped the country, and one Mickey Finn later our gumshoe comes to consciousness aboard an eastbound ship on the Atlantic. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025 Cage plays Ben Reilly, a gumshoe struggling to remain afloat in New York City in the Great Depression. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gumshoe

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1913, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gumshoe was in 1897

Rhymes for gumshoe

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Browse Nearby Words

gum shiraz
gumshoe
gum spirits
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gumshoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gumshoe. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gumshoe

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gumshoe

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