Detached

/dɪˈtætʃt/

adjectiveIntermediateCommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Not influenced by emotion or personal interest; impartial; separate or disconnected.

/dɪˈtætʃt/

adjectiveneutralIntermediate
General

Not influenced by emotion or personal interest; impartial

The judge remained detached from the case's emotional aspects to ensure a fair trial.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're watching a movie and not getting too involved emotionally. You're just observing, like a detached observer who is impartial.

👶 For kids: When you're detached, it means you're not super excited or sad about something, like you're just watching from the side.

More Examples

2

He offered a detached analysis of the situation, avoiding any personal opinions.

3

Despite the chaos, she maintained a detached perspective and focused on the facts.

How It's Used

Psychology

"The therapist maintained a detached demeanor during the patient's emotional outburst."

Journalism

"The reporter's detached writing style presented an objective account of the events."

2

Separate or disconnected; not joined or connected to another thing.

/dɪˈtætʃt/

adjectiveneutralBeginner
General

Separate or disconnected; not joined

The detached garage provided additional storage space.

💡 Simply: Think of a house standing by itself, not connected to any other houses. It's detached!

👶 For kids: If something is detached, it's not connected to anything else. Like a Lego brick that isn't stuck to another brick!

More Examples

2

The artist preferred a detached studio to avoid distractions.

3

The detached leaf floated gently to the ground.

How It's Used

Architecture

"The house was a detached property with its own private garden."

Engineering

"The detached component needed to be reconnected."

Tip:Think of a detachable part that can be removed from the whole.

Idioms & expressions

detached house

A house that stands alone, not joined to any other house.

"They bought a detached house in the suburbs."

detached retina

A serious eye condition in which the retina separates from the back of the eye.

"He was diagnosed with a detached retina and required immediate surgery."

From Old French *desdetachier*, meaning 'to unfasten, separate,' from *des-* (de-) + *detachier*.

The word 'detached' has been used since the 17th century to describe something separated from the main body.

Memory tip

Think of someone holding an object at arm's length; they are detached from it.

detatcheddetacthed

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written