whodunit

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a story about a crime (usually murder) presented as a novel or play or movie

Etymology

Coined by critic Donald Gordon in 1930. Alteration and univerbation of who done it? with ellipsis of has.

In classic literature

Synonyms

mystery, mystery story

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