detached
Americanadjective
-
not attached; separated.
a detached ticket stub.
- Antonyms:
- attached
-
having no wall in common with another building (opposed to attached).
a detached house.
- Antonyms:
- attached
-
impartial or objective; disinterested; unbiased.
a detached judgment.
- Synonyms:
- unprejudiced, dispassionate, evenhanded, neutral, uninvolved
-
not involved or concerned; aloof.
adjective
-
disconnected or standing apart; not attached
a detached house
-
having or showing no bias or emotional involvement; disinterested
-
social welfare working at the clients' normal location rather than from an office; not dependent on premises for providing a service Compare outreach
a detached youth worker
-
ophthalmol (of the retina) separated from the choroid layer of the eyeball to which it is normally attached, resulting in loss of vision in the affected part
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of detached
Explanation
If something is detached, it stands apart from something else. That goes for people, emotions, retinas, garages, and just about anything else that can be disconnected or uninvolved. In the simplest sense, detached means "not attached." Which is a fine state to be in if you're talking about houses (it means they're not connected, like row houses) or your neighbor's aggressive dog (who was chomping down on your leg a few minutes ago). But if a person is emotionally detached, be careful: They're not in touch with their own emotions, or very interested in understanding yours.
Vocabulary lists containing detached
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 16–19
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
A Monster Calls
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"A Noiseless Patient Spider" by Walt Whitman
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Within the LAPD, some have also criticized McDonnell for taking a detached approach to running the department and ceding control to underlings, such as Assistant Chief Dominic Choi.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
The home’s appeal extends beyond the main residence, with two additional detached structures that could accommodate a variety of uses.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026
Hansen himself has been critical of the film, calling it "bizarre" and "detached from reality" in a video posted on X, external.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
The band’s joyful energy was more suitable for bopping than brooding, and Mr. Casablancas’s detached and distorted delivery is distant from grunge’s anguished growls.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
The hobbits rode on up a gentle slope, passing a few detached houses, and drew up outside the inn.
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
