Definition

A type of mystery story or play where the main focus is on solving a crime, usually a murder, and discovering who the criminal is.

Example

The detective novel was a classic whodunnit that kept readers guessing until the last page.

Conversation

Have you read that new whodunnit novel everyone's talking about?

Not yet, but I've heard it's really captivating.

I couldn't put it down! The twists were so surprising.

Sounds like I need to add it to my reading list.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Whodunnit is a colloquial contraction of "who done it," which is derived from the phrase meaning "who has done it?" The term is used to describe a mystery story or play in which the perpetrator of a crime is not revealed until the end. It originates from informal English, reflecting a playful and engaging way to pose a question about the identity of a criminal.

Memory Tip

Imagine a mystery where you are constantly asking, 'Who has done it?' — that's the essence of a whodunnit.

Visually Confused Words