Whodunnit: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ
whodunnit
[ hwuหหdสnษชt ]
mystery genre
A whodunnit is a type of narrative or literary work that revolves around a crime; typically a murder, and the events that unfold as characters attempt to solve it. The term focuses on the mystery of the identity of the perpetrator, creating intrigue and suspense for the reader or audience. Often, whodunnits are characterized by their complex plots, misdirection, and clues that lead to the resolution of the mystery. They have been popularized through novels, films, and television series, engaging audiences in guessing the identity of the culprit before it is revealed.
Synonyms
crime fiction, detective story, mystery
Examples of usage
- I love reading a good whodunnit novel.
- The film was a classic whodunnit with lots of twists.
- She enjoys writing whodunnits full of red herrings.
- The board game is based on a whodunnit theme.
Translations
Translations of the word "whodunnit" in other languages:
๐ต๐น quem fez isso
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคฟเคธเคจเฅ เคเคฟเคฏเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Wer hat's getan
๐ฎ๐ฉ siapa yang melakukannya
๐บ๐ฆ ั ัะพ ัะต ะทัะพะฑะธะฒ
๐ต๐ฑ kto to zrobiล
๐ฏ๐ต ่ชฐใใใฃใใฎใ
๐ซ๐ท qui a fait รงa
๐ช๐ธ ยฟquiรฉn lo hizo?
๐น๐ท bunu kim yaptฤฑ
๐ฐ๐ท ๋๊ฐ ๊ทธ๊ฑธ ํ๋๊ฐ
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ู ูุนู ุฐูู
๐จ๐ฟ kdo to udฤlal
๐ธ๐ฐ kto to urobil
๐จ๐ณ ่ฐๅ็
๐ธ๐ฎ kdo je to naredil
๐ฎ๐ธ hver gerรฐi รพetta
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะบัะผ ะถะฐัะฐะดั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแ แแแแแแแ แแก
๐ฆ๐ฟ bunu kim etdi
๐ฒ๐ฝ ยฟquiรฉn lo hizo?
Etymology
The term 'whodunnit' originated from a blend of American English and detective fiction literature that became popular in the early 20th century. The word itself is a contraction of 'who done it?', which is often heard in popular crime-related narratives. The genre gained prominence with the publication of mystery novels, particularly those by authors like Agatha Christie, whose works featured intricate plots and clever resolutions. The phrase encapsulates the essence of detective stories where the central question revolves around the identity of the criminal. Over time, 'whodunnit' has not only described literary works but has also extended into film and television, influencing the development of mystery narratives across multiple platforms.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #41,789, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.
- ...
- 41786 pettier
- 41787 wassailing
- 41788 blackballing
- 41789 whodunnit
- 41790 chronologist
- 41791 resit
- 41792 scotching
- ...