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
Derived 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.
New asteroids and distant objects are being discovered all the time as our observing capabilities become more detailed, which should gradually shed more light on what might be out there.
From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026
He also faced criticism from his rivals for failing to offer detailed housing and healthcare policies.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
Investors were mostly looking for detailed information about the launch of Siri AI, the company’s long awaited update to its Siri chatbot that runs on Apple Intelligence.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
Separately, a former minister from another Church of Ireland parish in east Belfast detailed what he believed to be a further safeguarding concern involving the bishop of the diocese David McClay.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
In 1665, the English scientist Robert Hooke published this detailed drawing of a flea as seen through the newly invented microscope.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
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.
