Whodunit
noun ·3 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A novel or drama concerning a crime (usually a murder) in which a detective follows clues to determine the perpetrator.
"Actually, an whodunit is a mystery story. The hero is generally a detective, although sometimes he is a gentleman (apparently a mild mannered worm) who sallies forth at night to become Public Enemy No. One of Crime. Otherwise, the formula is exactly the same as that of the Cliff-hanger and follows the same rules."
- 2 a story about a crime (usually murder) presented as a novel or play or movie wordnet
Antonyms
All antonymsExample
More examples"Actually, an whodunit is a mystery story. The hero is generally a detective, although sometimes he is a gentleman (apparently a mild mannered worm) who sallies forth at night to become Public Enemy No. One of Crime. Otherwise, the formula is exactly the same as that of the Cliff-hanger and follows the same rules."
Etymology
Coined by critic Donald Gordon in 1930. Alteration and univerbation of who done it? with ellipsis of has.