detail
Americannoun
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an individual or minute part; an item or particular.
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particulars collectively; minutiae.
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attention to or treatment of a subject in individual or minute parts.
to postpone detail and concentrate on a subject as a whole.
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intricate, finely wrought decoration.
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Engineering. detail drawing.
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any small section of a larger structure or whole, considered as a unit.
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Military.
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an appointment or assignment, as of a small group or an officer, for a special task.
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the party or person so selected.
the kitchen detail.
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a particular assignment of duty.
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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)
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to relate or report with complete particulars; tell fully and distinctly.
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to mention one by one; specify; list.
He detailed the events leading up to the robbery.
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Military. to appoint or assign for some particular duty.
We were detailed to patrol the border.
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to provide with intricate, finely wrought decoration.
lingerie detailed with lace and embroidery.
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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.
idioms
noun
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an item or smaller part that is considered separately; particular
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an item or circumstance that is insignificant or unimportant
passengers' comfort was regarded as a detail
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treatment of or attention to items or particulars
this essay includes too much detail
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items collectively; particulars
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a small or accessory section or element in a painting, building, statue, etc, esp when considered in isolation
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military
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the act of assigning personnel for a specific duty, esp a fatigue
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the personnel selected
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the duty or assignment
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to include all or most particulars
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including all or most particulars or items thoroughly
verb
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to list or relate fully
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military to select (personnel) for a specific duty
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to decorate or elaborate (carving, etc) with fine delicate drawing or designs
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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detailsimple
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detailssimple
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have detailedperfect
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has detailedperfect
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am detailingprogressive
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are detailingprogressive
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is detailingprogressive
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have been detailingperfect progressive
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has been detailingperfect progressive
Past
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detailedsimple
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had detailedperfect
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was detailingprogressive
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were detailingprogressive
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had been detailingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
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 tailor 1
Explanation
A detail is a small fact or spot in a larger entity. That ambiguous smile is just one detail of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Detail comes from the French for cutting into pieces, but in English we only use it to refer to the pieces. As a noun, detail means an isolated aspect of something larger. If you're painting a landscape, don't forget details like individual birds and trees. Detail can also mean a team of workers for a special task. If you go on a group camping trip, try for the food detail instead of the trash detail.
Vocabulary lists containing detail
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 3
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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.
See Examples For:
Alongside the laboratory tests, the researchers used mathematical modeling to examine the frying process in greater detail.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026
When asked about his preferred style of play, Zidane opted against going into tactical detail.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
The bills differ in detail but converge on one principle: data centers pay their own costs.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
Companies have been hesitant to detail how they use generative AI in film production — partly because they are concerned about consumer and union backlash.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
Emma jumps in occasionally when I forget a detail.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
SK Group, which controls SK Hynix, announced a $500 billion partnership with Nvidia for next-generation memory supply and AI data centers, giving details about an agreement reached earlier.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
Researchers from Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute and the University of Michigan reported new details about this process on June 1, 2026, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026
Both meetings took place in the Oval Office without the presence of reporters, and while few details were disclosed about the discussion, the White House described the sessions as “positive and productive.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
In a sign of progress, Spain's interior ministry said it would end evacuation orders for 13 municipalities on Tuesday afternoon, without providing details of how many people were covered.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
She lets me talk, asks for more details a few times.
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
In text chains detailed in the motion, agents discussed “soft counts” of “possibles” based on location drive-bys and “roaming.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
His company, Swebal, has also completed detailed work for planning permission for the factory, looking at issues such as the proximity of schools and housing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
The size of the Lovell Telescope allows it to detect signals that are extremely weak, while the other telescopes at the site help scientists paint a more detailed picture.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
In 2018, one detailed study of the Los Angeles Unified School District found that 55% of its costs were fixed.
From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026
He finds his appetite has returned, so they share a bowl of dumplings and a packet of pieces of edible paper, with detailed illustrations on them that match their respective flavors.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Grammy winner Steve Lacy joined the festivities during the film’s Hollywood premiere on Monday, detailing more than just his original song for the latest “Spider-Man” flick.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
And the building's entire facade – with its unique form and intricate detailing - will be showcased with new lights, allowing passersby to admire it at night.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
If you enjoyed Justice Neal Gorsuch’s opinion detailing the Founding Fathers’ drinking habits, stay tuned for the October term.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Telling me your overall retirement balance is $1.3 million is fine, but detailing the breakdown of your various accounts to the dime and what funds you’re invested in is too much.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
They weren't partial or biased, just very persuasive in detailing how organic brain damage, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder can conspire to create severe mental impairment.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
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.
