detail

[ noun dih-teyl, dee-teyl; verb dih-teyl dee-teyl ]

noun

1. an individual or minute part; an item or particular.
2. particulars collectively; minutiae.
3. attention to or treatment of a subject in individual or minute parts:

   to postpone detail and concentrate on a subject as a whole.

4. intricate, finely wrought decoration.
5. Engineering. detail drawing.
6. any small section of a larger structure or whole, considered as a unit.
7. Military.
   1. an appointment or assignment, as of a small group or an officer, for a special task.
   2. the party or person so selected:

      the kitchen detail.

   3. a particular assignment of duty.
8. 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)

1. to relate or report with complete particulars; tell fully and distinctly.
2. to mention one by one; specify; list:

   He detailed the events leading up to the robbery.

   Synonyms: catalog, enumerate, itemize

3. Military. to appoint or assign for some particular duty:

   We were detailed to patrol the border.

4. to provide with intricate, finely wrought decoration:

   lingerie detailed with lace and embroidery.

5. 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.

detail

/ ˈdiːteɪl /

noun

1. an item or smaller part that is considered separately; particular
2. an item or circumstance that is insignificant or unimportant

   passengers' comfort was regarded as a detail

3. treatment of or attention to items or particulars

   this essay includes too much detail

4. items collectively; particulars
5. a small or accessory section or element in a painting, building, statue, etc, esp when considered in isolation
6. military
   1. the act of assigning personnel for a specific duty, esp a fatigue
   2. the personnel selected
   3. the duty or assignment
7. go into detail
   to include all or most particulars
8. in detail
   including all or most particulars or items thoroughly

verb

1. to list or relate fully
2. military to select (personnel) for a specific duty
3. to decorate or elaborate (carving, etc) with fine delicate drawing or designs

Other Words From

• pre·de·tail verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of detail¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of detail¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in detail, item by item; with particulars:

   The résumé stated his qualifications in detail.

More idioms and phrases containing detail

see in detail .

Example Sentences

Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said there was "much to welcome" in Reeves' suggested reforms, though shadow chancellor Mel Stride has added that Conservatives will be "looking closely at the detail".

From BBC

He added that he was not going to get into detail at this stage on the "tough choices" the force would face without an increase in resources.

From BBC

Later in the day, the Sheriff’s Department said in a news release that its own Arson Explosives Detail was investigating, with assistance from the FBI.

From Los Angeles Times

Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said the Conservatives "will be looking closely at the detail of what Rachel Reeves sets out – particularly regarding the mandating of where investments are to be made".

From BBC

The company did not specify when Freevee services will be fully phased out, but said the “Watch for Free” feature will be available on Prime Video detail pages in the coming weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• analyze
• delineate
• depict
• describe
• enumerate
• lay out
• portray
• recount
• relate
• reveal
• set forth
• spell out
• stipulate
• summarize
• tell
• uncover