plural details
1
a
: a small part of something
Every/each detail of the wedding was carefully planned.
They designed every detail of the house.
He planned the party down to the smallest/last/tiniest detail. [=he planned everything about the party]
Don't sweat the details. [=don't worry about minor things]
b
: the small parts of something
the wooden box's fine carved detail
We admired the detail of the artist's work.
Use a small paintbrush for the detail work. [=decorative work or work done using small pieces]
The job requires attention to detail.
Note: If you have an eye for detail or a fine/good/keen eye for detail, you are good at noticing small but important things that other people might not notice.
2
a
: a particular fact or piece of information about something or someone
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.
b
: information about something or someone that is often specific or precise
The book includes a wealth of detail on living conditions aboard ships at that time.
The novel is full of historical detail.
The book covers the topic of grammar at a level of detail that most people would find boring.
3
: a special job that is given to a soldier or group of soldiers
They were assigned to security/maintenance detail.
working on a kitchen detail.
details; detailed; detailing
1
: to state particular facts or information about (something) : to describe or discuss the details of (something)
The book details the series of events that led to the tragedy.
She wrote a letter detailing her complaints.
2
US
: to thoroughly clean (a car) in an attempt to make it look new
I am going to have the car detailed [=(Brit) valeted] before I try to sell it.
3
formal
: to choose (a person or group of people) to do a special job
The Army has detailed him to investigate the complaints.
—often used as (be) detailedThe infantry officer was detailed to another unit during maneuvers.
Cite this Entry
“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/detail. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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