detach

verb

de·​tach di-ˈtach 

dē-

detached; detaching; detaches

transitive verb

1

: to separate especially from a larger mass and usually without violence or damage

2

: disengage, withdraw

detachability

di-ˌta-chə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

dē-

noun

detachable

di-ˈta-chə-bəl 

dē-

adjective

detachably

di-ˈta-chə-blē 

dē-

adverb

Examples of detach in a Sentence

Detach the upper part of the form and return it with your payment.

During the accident the trailer was detached from the car.

The brush detaches from the vacuum cleaner for easy cleaning.

It can be difficult to detach yourself from the chaos of the situation.

She has been trying to detach herself from an abusive relationship.

Recent Examples on the Web

The editorial board has offered tone-deaf takes on the Iran war detached from its grotesque, senseless reality. —Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026

There have been at least 15 reports of the zipper head detaching from the garment, the CPSC said Thursday, but no injuries have been reported. —Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026

Comfortable without being detached. —Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026

The Caerus mount can be detached for remote single-operator use by other AC’s (Assistant Camera Operators) if the chair user cannot operate both the camera and wheelchair concurrently. —Shirl Leigh march 02, New Atlas, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French détacher, from Old French destachier, from des- de- + -tachier (as in atachier to attach)

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for detach

• attach
• bycatch
• despatch
• dispatch
• mismatch
• nuthatch
• potlatch
• toothache
• bache
• batch
• brach
• catch

Kids Definition

detach

verb

de·​tach di-ˈtach 

: to separate especially from a larger mass and usually without violence or damage

detachable

-ˈtach-ə-bəl 

adjective

detachably

-blē 

adverb