detailed
Americanadjective
-
having many details.
a detailed problem.
- Synonyms:
- complicated, complex, involved
-
thorough in the treatment of details; minute.
a detailed report.
- Synonyms:
- comprehensive, thorough, exhaustive
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of detailed
Explanation
Use the adjective detailed when you're talking about something that's full of specific points or facts. A detailed weather report includes temperature, cloud cover, and the possibility of rain. Something that's detailed is focused on the fine points or small aspects — a detailed portrait of your grandmother includes every wisp of hair and subtle shade of skin. Detailed explanations take some time, because the person doing the explaining isn't leaving any detail out. The literal Old French meaning of the noun detail is "a cutting in pieces," and it's used to mean "small piece or quantity."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the Cell study, researchers built a detailed map of metabolism in the developing human cortex.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026
Mark Pierce, senior review officer, said: "Forensic results, combined with a detailed review of witness evidence, have provided grounds to interview four people on suspicion of perverting the course of justice."
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
The whistleblower account detailed a series of problems with development and testing of the new computer system, which the person said can take nine months to a year to debug.
From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2026
As chief of internal security, Al-Arabid would have detailed knowledge about protection protocols for Hamas leaders, said Michael Milshtein, a former senior Israeli military intelligence officer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
No prose paraphrase can give any idea of Pindar, except, perhaps, something of his singular power for vivid and minutely detailed description.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
