Detail — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /di-ˈtāl/ de·tail

Meaning & Definition of Detail

Detail (noun)

  1. extended treatment of or attention to particular items
  2. a part of a whole
  3. a small and subordinate part, particular

Detail (verb)

  1. to report minutely and distinctly, to report with close attention to small elements, specify
  2. to assign to a particular task
  3. to furnish with the smaller elements of design and finish

Detail (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a separate part in a list, account, or series

    "every detail was accounted for"

    similar: item, particular, point
    related: article, belonging, object, stuff, thing, characteristic, component, constituent, element, factor, feature, member, ingredient, division, particle, partition, piece, portion, section, segment
    near: aggregate, composite, compound, conglomerate, entirety, sum, summation, total, totality, whole

  2. a single piece of information

    "didn't leave out a single detail in his police report on the burglary"

    similar: datum, fact, nicety, particular, particularity, point, specific
    related: article, item, component, constituent, element, ingredient, member, part, aspect, circumstance, facet, factor, evidence, exhibit, database, information, knowledge
    near: error, fallacy, falsehood, inaccuracy, misconception, misstatement, myth

  3. a small military unit with a special task or function

    "the officer sent out a detail to patrol the perimeter of the compound"

    similar: detachment
    related: commando, firing squad, outpost, paratroops, patrol, picket, rear guard, sentry, watch, battalion, command, company, corps, division, platoon, regiment, squad, squadron, troop, wing

  4. a specific task with which a person or group is charged

    "the soldier was placed on guard detail at the border crossing"

    similar: assignment, brief, business, charge, job, mission, operation, post
    related: burden, chore, duty, need, obligation, office, requirement, responsibility, errand, labor, work, commitment, pledge, promise, appointment, commission, designation, nomination, compulsion, constraint, restraint

Detail (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to assign to a place or position

    "once again he was detailed to guard duty"

    similar: post, station
    related: set, appoint, place, position

  2. to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty

    "the new assistant was detailed to accompany the boss on the business trip"

    similar: appoint, assign, attach, commission, constitute, designate, name, nominate, place
    related: authorize, delegate, depute, deputize, anoint, consecrate, create, inaugurate, induct, install, instate, institute, invest, make, ordain, crown, enthrone, throne, choose, destine, draft, elect, handpick, select, single (out), vote (in)
    opposite: discharge, dismiss, expel, fire
    near: blackball, depose, dethrone, displace, eject, evict, oust, overthrow, remove, throw out, uncrown, unmake, unseat

  3. to specify one after another

    "detailed all of the reasons that the plan was a bad idea"

    similar: enumerate, itemize, list, numerate, recite, reel off, rehearse, tick (off)
    related: outline, tabulate, tally, catalog, inventory, chart, diagram, graph, calculate, compute, estimate, figure, reckon, cite, mention, name

Related Entry: In detail (phrase)

In detail is a different word from Detail. The synonyms below are for in detail, not for detail.

  1. with attention to all aspects or details

    "The police asked the victim to describe in detail what the robber looked like."

    similar: completely, comprehensively, detailedly, exhaustively, fully, inside out, minutely, roundly, sweepingly, systematically, thoroughly, through and through, totally, at length, from stem to stern, from the ground up
    related: meticulously, microscopically, all-out, full blast, intensively, broadly, encyclopedically, extensively, generally, globally, widely, conclusively, consummately, definitely, perfectly
    near: aimlessly, desultorily, haphazardly, hit-or-miss, randomly, cursorily, imperfectly, inadequately, narrowly, shallowly, sketchily, summarily, superficially, indeterminately, nebulously, vaguely

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Detail

The most common words with a similar meaning to Detail:

item, particular, point, datum, fact, nicety, particularity, specific, detachment, assignment, brief, business, charge, job, mission, operation, post, station, appoint, assign, attach, commission, constitute, designate, name, nominate, place, enumerate, itemize, list, numerate, recite, reel off, rehearse, tick (off)

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Detail

Words with the opposite meaning of Detail:

discharge, dismiss, expel, fire

Related Words for Detail

article, belonging, object, stuff, thing, characteristic, component, constituent, element, factor, feature, member, ingredient, division, particle, partition, piece, portion, section, segment, part, aspect, circumstance, facet, evidence, exhibit, database, information, knowledge, commando

Near Antonyms of Detail

aggregate, composite, compound, conglomerate, entirety, sum, summation, total, totality, whole, error, fallacy, falsehood, inaccuracy, misconception, misstatement, myth, blackball, depose, dethrone, displace, eject, evict, oust, overthrow, remove, throw out, uncrown, unmake, unseat

Word Forms of Detail

Inflections: detailed, detailing, details

Derived words: detailer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Detail

French détail, from Old French detail slice, piece, from detaillier to cut in pieces, from de- + taillier to cut tailor

First known use: 1603

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Detail

Words & Phrases Containing Detail

detail man, detail work, in detail, down to the smallest/last/tiniest detail, go into detail, in gory detail

Frequently Asked Questions about Detail

What does "Detail" mean?

"Detail" means extended treatment of or attention to particular items. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: extended treatment of or attention to particular items. It has 7 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Detail"?

Other words for "Detail" include item, particular, point, datum, fact, nicety, particularity and specific. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Detail" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Detail"?

There are 146 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Detail". Common alternatives include item, particular, point, datum, fact, nicety, particularity, specific, detachment and assignment.

What is the opposite of "Detail"?

Antonyms of "Detail" include discharge, dismiss, expel and fire. Near antonyms include aggregate, composite, compound and conglomerate.

How do you use "Detail" in a sentence?

Examples of "Detail" in a sentence: "every detail was accounted for"; "didn't leave out a single detail in his police report on the burglary"; "the officer sent out a detail to patrol the perimeter of the compound".

Is "Detail" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Detail" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Detail" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Detail" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Detail"?

"Detail" is pronounced /di-ˈtāl/ and divided into syllables as de·tail.