detail

1 of 2

noun

de·​tail di-ˈtāl  ˈdē-ˌtāl 

1

: extended treatment of or attention to particular items

explaining without going into detail

giving careful attention to detail

2

: a part of a whole: such as

a

: a small and subordinate part : particular

planned the wedding down to the smallest detail

also : a reproduction of such a part of a work of art

b

: a part considered or requiring to be considered separately from the whole

discussing the details of the building's columns

c

: the small elements that collectively constitute a work of art

admire the great detail of his work

d

photography : the small elements of an image corresponding to those of the subject

strong lighting to achieve clarity of detail

3

a

: selection of a person or group for a particular task (as in military service)

b(1)

: the person or group selected

a member of a security detail

police details at the parade

(2)

: the task to be performed

were assigned to kitchen detail

detail

2 of 2

verb

detailed; detailing; details

transitive verb

1

: to report minutely and distinctly : to report with close attention to small elements : specify

detailed their grievances

wrote a letter detailing her vacation

2

: to assign to a particular task

was detailed to another unit during maneuvers

3

: to furnish with the smaller elements of design and finish

trimmings that detail slips and petticoats

4

: to clean and refurbish (a vehicle) very thoroughly and meticulously

detail a car

intransitive verb

: to make detail drawings

detailer noun

Phrases

in detail

: with all the particulars

explained the job in detail

Synonyms

Noun

• item
• particular
• point

Verb

• post
• station

Choose the Right Synonym for detail

item, detail, particular mean one of the distinct parts of a whole.

item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated.

every item on the list

detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process.

leave the details to others

particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item.

a description that included few particulars

Examples of detail in a Sentence

Noun

Every detail of the wedding was carefully planned.

They designed every detail of the house.

the wooden box's fine carved detail

We admired the detail of the artist's work.

The job requires attention to detail.

The article provides further details.

You left out an important detail about their new baby: is it a girl or boy?

The novel is full of historical details.

The book includes a wealth of detail on living conditions aboard ships at that time.

The novel is full of historical detail.

Verb

The book details the series of events that led to the tragedy.

She wrote a letter detailing her complaints.

The Army has detailed him to investigate the complaints.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Since then, she’s shared the new project’s main cover plus details on the four deluxe editions, as well as confirming that Post Malone and Florence + The Machine are both featured on the album. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024

Ryder said Israel has agreed to provide security on the shore as aid is transferred and distributed, but details are still being worked out. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 5 Apr. 2024

Studded leather fringes and chain details provide rock accents. —Pino Gagliardi, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have reported eight homicides in the past two weeks but have offered few details. —Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024

The details of those citations were not readily available on OSHA’s website. —Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024

No plot details are available, but the project is being executive produced by Reese Witherspoon along with Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, with Schwartz and Savage also writing. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024

Every detail of this soft-sided case has been carefully planned to create a smooth, user-friendly travel experience. —Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024

While officials haven’t given many details about the health status of Catherine or Charles, the messaging has been upbeat. —Karla Adam, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024

Verb

While others said a cooling-off of wage increases detailed in the report would nudge the Fed toward a rate cut, because the pay slowdown eases the risk of price hikes made in an effort to offset rising labor costs. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024

After Stroessner was forced from power in 1989 in a military coup, Dr. Almada returned to the capital city of Asunción and uncovered a state archive of paperwork and recordings detailing decades of torture and killing. —Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

Court records detail an arduous custody battle Fuller was charged Thursday with first-degree intentional homicide and is in the Milwaukee County Jail with bail set at $250,000, according to online records. —Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2024

The site also details the best fishing months for different species in this table. —Jp Shaffer, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024

The new report details how many low-income countries have high cancer death rates despite low cancer incidence, largely due to a lack of access to screening tools to spot the disease early and advanced treatment services. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024

Companies that sell short-term plans must also provide consumers with a disclaimer detailing the limits of services and amounts the plans cover. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024

However, Vega's family has actively spread information on flyers and social media, detailing the events that could have led to her death. —The Arizona Republic, 3 Apr. 2024

Court records did not detail what the argument was about. —Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1650, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing detail

• detail man
• detail work
• down to the smallest/last/tiniest detail
• go into detail
• fastidious attention to detail
• in gory detail
• in detail

Kids Definition

detail

1 of 2 noun

de·​tail di-ˈtā(ə)l  ˈdē-ˌtāl 

1

a

: a dealing with something item by item

go into detail about an event

b

: a small part or feature : item

the details of a story

2

a

: selection (as of a group of soldiers) for some special service

b

: a soldier or group of soldiers appointed for special duty

detail

2 of 2 verb

1

: to report in detail : specify

detailed their complaints

2

: to assign to a task

detailer noun