Detail
/ˈdiːteɪl/
Definitions
5 meaningsA single element or fact; a particular or specific item.
/ˈdiːteɪl/
An individual fact or item of information.
The detective carefully examined every detail of the crime scene.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a Lego castle. A detail is like one of the bricks, the door, or the tiny flag on top. It's a specific part that makes the castle complete. For example, tell me all the details of your day, and the information shared is details!
👶 For kids: A small part of something big. Like the tiny buttons on a toy car.
More Examples
She provided a detailed account of her travel experiences.
The architect included intricate details in the building design.
How It's Used
"The report included all the details of the investigation."
"We need to work out the details of the contract."
"The artist paid meticulous attention to detail in the painting."
Full and explicit treatment of particulars; fullness of particulars.
/ˈdiːteɪl/
The state of being fully informed and aware.
She went into great detail about her trip.
💡 Simply: If you're telling a story, and you want to make it super interesting, you might give a lot of detail. You're making sure you share everything that happened.
👶 For kids: Telling everything about something, like saying the color and size of a toy.
More Examples
The report provided copious detail on the project's progress.
The historian filled her book with rich detail about the period.
How It's Used
"The witness was able to provide a vivid detail of the accident."
"The news report was filled with graphic detail."
A group of persons assigned to a specific duty; a detachment.
/ˈdiːteɪl/
A person or group assigned to a particular duty.
The security detail protected the visiting dignitary.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, people need to be assigned a job. A *detail* is a group or person put in charge of doing some work.
👶 For kids: A group of people doing a special job, like cleaning up the park.
More Examples
A detail of workers was sent to repair the damaged bridge.
The construction detail worked through the night to complete the building project.
How It's Used
"The soldiers were put on detail to guard the base."
"The police officer was assigned to traffic detail."
To give a detailed account of.
/dɪˈteɪl/
To give a full account of something.
The witness detailed the events of the robbery.
💡 Simply: When you *detail* something, you explain it carefully and fully. It's like when you explain what happened step by step. It's like describing every single thing that happened in a story.
👶 For kids: To tell all the things about something. Like showing all the parts of a toy.
More Examples
The report detailed the causes of the accident.
The teacher detailed the requirements for the upcoming project.
How It's Used
"The author detailed the events of the war."
"She detailed the company's financial performance."
To assign to a particular task or duty.
/dɪˈteɪl/
To assign (someone) to a particular task or duty.
The manager detailed her to work on the new marketing campaign.
💡 Simply: Imagine your boss gives you a very specific job to do. That's what's meant when they detail you to something.
👶 For kids: To give someone a special job to do, like asking someone to get ready to do work.
More Examples
The army detailed the troops to guard the border.
He was detailed to assist the project manager.
How It's Used
"The officer detailed soldiers to patrol the perimeter."
"He was detailed to work on the new project."
Synonyms
Aspect
Component
Completeness
Assignment
Detachment
Describe
Allocate
Appoint
Assign
Commission
Designate
Idioms & expressions
in detail
Thoroughly and completely.
"The detective examined the evidence in detail."
down to the last detail
Including every single thing.
"They planned the party down to the last detail."
From Old French *tail* ('a cutting, a piece'), from Latin *talea* ('a cutting, a twig'). Influenced by the verb *detalier* ('to cut up').
The word 'detail' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to a part cut off or a fragment. It evolved to represent particulars or individual facts by the 16th century. Military usage, referring to a group assigned to duty, developed later.
Memory tip
Think of a single, small piece in a larger puzzle. A *detail* is one of those pieces.