private detective(any agent hired by a private party for the purpose of investigation or evidence gathering) noun [UK: ˈpraɪ.vɪt dɪ.ˈtek.tɪv] [US: ˈpraɪ.vət də.ˈtek.tɪv]
private investigator(agent hired by a private party) noun [UK: ˈpraɪ.vɪt ɪn.ˈve.stɪ.ɡeɪ.tə(r)] [US: ˈpraɪ.vət ˌɪn.ˈve.stə.ˌɡe.tər]