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

Hyundai Motor America is recalling more than 290,000 vehicles in the United States due to a defect that could cause the driver and passenger seat belt anchors to detach. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026

In real life, Natalie is detached from her children and disdainful of her spouse, prone to violent outbursts as the farm spins out of her control. —Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026

At stations, the cabins would detach, and pulleys would lower them for passengers to get on or off. —Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026

Press the handle in and detach the blending arm for cleaning. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 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