detach

[dih-tach]

verb (used with object)

1. to unfasten and separate; disengage; disunite.

2. Military.,  to send away (a regiment, ship, etc.) on a special mission.

detach

/ dɪˈtætʃ /

verb

1. to disengage and separate or remove, as by pulling; unfasten; disconnect

2. military to separate (a small unit) from a larger, esp for a special assignment

Other Word Forms

• detachable adjective
• detacher noun
• detachability noun
• detachably adverb
• nondetachability noun
• nondetachable adjective
• predetach verb (used with object)
• self-detaching adjective
• undetachable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of detach¹

1470–80; < Middle French détacher, Old French destachier; dis- ¹, attach

Word History and Origins

Origin of detach¹

C17: from Old French destachier, from des- _dis- ¹ + attachier to _attach

Example Sentences

“The studio was detached, and we had to enter through a gate.”

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On his podcasts and elsewhere, Maron has spoken at length about growing up with narcissistic, emotionally detached parents and how that dynamic likely laid the groundwork for his problematic sense of self.

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The judges said: "A novel about class ascension and a man who is remarkably detached from his desires, and a disquisition on the art of being alive. It is also an absolute page-turner."

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Lifelong fan Scott Detki, who acknowledged feeling more detached from the Bruins than usual, said he would be driven to learn about a successful team.

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"It's a world they have always chosen to remain detached from, to whose construction they did not consent, and one that will change their place in their homeland forever."

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Related Words

• disassemble 
• disengage 
• disentangle 
• dissociate 
• isolate 
• segregate 
• separate 
• sever