The invention relates to an amino acid-fluorophore compound and application of the compound, wherein the general structural formula of the amino acid-fluorophore compound is (I), (II), (III), and (IV) or a free form thereof, wherein R1 is selected from various amino acid side chains, preferably methyl, propyl, 2-methylthio ethyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, 2-cyclohexyl ethyl, 4-isopropyl phenyl and 4-dimethyl amino phenyl; R2 is selected from various fluorophores, preferably 7-hydroxyl coumarin, naphthalimide fluorophores, Nile red series and Cy fluorophores; and X is C or N. Fluorescent probe molecules can be used for detecting the activity (enzyme level and cell level) of aminopeptidase N, can be used as a probe tool for detecting the tissue distribution of aminopeptidase N and tumor tissue imaging, and can be used as a diagnosis tool for various diseases due to abnormal expression of aminopeptidase N. In addition, the preparation method of the compound has the advantages of mild reaction conditions, easily-accessible and cheap raw materials and simplicity in operation and after-treatment.