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 aim was to create space for narratives that challenge the idea of humans as detached from nature, and instead propose a perspective in which humans are a species that is part of complex, fragile ecosystems. —Photovogue, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026

While retail investors appear to still supporting the stock, Wall Street analysts have become skeptical as the shares detached from trading on earnings figures. —Tobias Burns, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026

Finally, detach from your own narrative when guiding others. —Rebecca Ahmed, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026

My sacrum detached from my spine on the left side. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 21 Apr. 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