Philip Marlowe
3
7.7
- proper noun
- /ˈfɪlɪp ˈmɑːrloʊ/
- Literature
- Raymond Chandler's most famous creation is Philip Marlowe, the hard-boiled detective from Los Angeles.
Examples
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Humphrey Bogart memorably portrayed Philip Marlowe in the classic film adaptation of 'The Big Sleep'.
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In the film 'The Big Sleep', Philip Marlowe navigates a complex web of deceit and danger.
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Many modern detective stories have been influenced by the character of Philip Marlowe.
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Philip Marlowe is a classic detective.
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Did you read the latest book featuring Philip Marlowe?
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Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe is a cynical detective known for his tough demeanor and sharp wit.
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Readers of noir fiction often appreciate the character of Philip Marlowe for his moral ambiguity and resilience.
Synonyms
9
7.5
A tough private detective in American crime stories who often seems tired of the world
Surface Forms
Morphology
Philip + Marlowe
This is a proper name referring to a fictional character; knowing the constituent parts 'Philip' (a given name) and 'Marlowe' (a surname) does not convey that the referent is a tough, cynical private detective. Proper names are referential and non-compositional, so the character's occupational and personality information must be learned separately, making the expression opaque to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Philip Marlowe was created by writer Raymond Chandler for a tough, smart private detective who walks the lonely streets of Los Angeles. Chandler gave him a dry voice and a strong sense of right while he saw the city as full of crime, so the name now means a 'tough, cynical private detective'.