detail

[ noun dih-teyl, dee-teyl; verb dih-teyl or, for 13, dee-teyl ]

/ noun dɪˈteɪl, ˈdi teɪl; verb dɪˈteɪl or, for 13, ˈdi teɪl /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: detail / detailed / detailing / details on Thesaurus.com

noun

an individual or minute part; an item or particular.

particulars collectively; minutiae.

attention to or treatment of a subject in individual or minute parts: to postpone detail and concentrate on a subject as a whole.

intricate, finely wrought decoration.

Engineering. detail drawing.

any small section of a larger structure or whole, considered as a unit.

Military.

an appointment or assignment, as of a small group or an officer, for a special task.
the party or person so selected: the kitchen detail.
a particular assignment of duty.

the property of an image or of a method of image production to make small, closely spaced image elements individually distinguishable.

verb (used with object)

to relate or report with complete particulars; tell fully and distinctly.

to mention one by one; specify; list: He detailed the events leading up to the robbery.

Military. to appoint or assign for some particular duty: We were detailed to patrol the border.

to provide with intricate, finely wrought decoration: lingerie detailed with lace and embroidery.

to thoroughly clean (a vehicle or part of a vehicle) and do minor repairs to improve its appearance: We detail the wheels and chrome to remove the rust.

OTHER WORDS FOR detail

10 itemize, enumerate, catalog.

See synonyms for detail on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about detail

in detail, item by item; with particulars: The résumé stated his qualifications in detail.

Origin of detail

First recorded in 1595–1605; from French détail, Old French, noun derivative of detailler “to cut in pieces,” equivalent to de- “away, apart , etc.” (see dis-¹) + tailler “to cut,” from unattested Vulgar Latin taliāre; see tailor¹

OTHER WORDS FROM detail

pre·de·tail, verb (used with object)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use detail in a sentence

The following page details a tribute gag the Simpsons team inserted into the background of a scene.
Here’s the Lost Judd Apatow ‘Simpsons’ Episode, Penned by Judd Apatow|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Their solidified friendship is one of the most touching details of the premiere, but it also puts Branson in a tricky predicament.
What Downton’s Fashion Really Means|Katie Baker|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
During two years in Iranian custody, Abdolhamid provided crucial details of how Jundullah operated.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
News clips, sound bites, and planning details were shared on those platforms.
China’s Internet Is Freer Than You Think|Brendon Hong|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The families announced along with it that they had entered a “phase of silence” surrounding the details of the new deal.
A Sunni-Shia Love Story Imperiled by al Qaeda|Ruth Michaelson|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The reader is referred to larger works upon urinalysis for details.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Not only have its fundamental principles been fully vindicated but in most details the working of the measure has been successful.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
She gave details of the singular mood that had come upon her with the arrival of Tony, but Tom hardly heard her.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
The two-thirds objective should be used as a finder, while the one-sixth is reserved for examining details.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
I never trouble my head about details; it is enough, the man is a political refugee, and his object concealment.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

British Dictionary definitions for detail

detail

/ (ˈdiːteɪl) /

noun

an item or smaller part that is considered separately; particular

an item or circumstance that is insignificant or unimportantpassengers' comfort was regarded as a detail

treatment of or attention to items or particularsthis essay includes too much detail

items collectively; particulars

a small or accessory section or element in a painting, building, statue, etc, esp when considered in isolation

military

the act of assigning personnel for a specific duty, esp a fatigue
the personnel selected
the duty or assignment

go into detail to include all or most particulars

in detail including all or most particulars or items thoroughly

verb (tr)

to list or relate fully

military to select (personnel) for a specific duty

to decorate or elaborate (carving, etc) with fine delicate drawing or designs

Word Origin for detail

C17: from French détail, from Old French detailler to cut in pieces, from de- dis- 1 + tailler to cut; see tailor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with detail

detail

see in detail.

detail

OTHER WORDS FOR detail

Idioms about detail

Origin of detail

OTHER WORDS FROM detail

Words related to detail

How to use detail in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for detail

Word Origin for detail

Other Idioms and Phrases with detail