detrimental

[ de-truh-men-tl ]

adjective

1. causing detriment, as loss or injury; damaging; harmful.

noun

1. a detrimental person or thing.

detrimental

/ ˌdɛtrɪˈmɛntəl /

adjective

1. whenpostpositive, foll by to harmful; injurious; prejudicial

   smoking can be detrimental to health

Derived Forms

• ˌdetriˈmentally, adverb

Other Words From

• detri·men·tali·ty detri·mental·ness noun
• detri·mental·ly adverb
• nondet·ri·mental adjective
• nondet·ri·mental·ly adverb
• predet·ri·mental adjective
• undet·ri·mental adjective
• undet·ri·mental·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of detrimental¹

First recorded in 1650–60; detriment + -al ¹

Related Words

• adverse
• destructive
• disturbing
• harmful
• hurtful
• inimical
• injurious
• negative
• pernicious
• prejudicial
• unfavorable