Definition of “detail” - English Dictionary

American
Contents

“detail” in English

See all translations

detailnoun

uk ​ /ˈdiː.teɪl/ us ​ /dɪˈteɪl/

detail noun (INFORMATION)

B1 [ C ] a single piece of information or fact about something:

She insisted on telling me every single detail of what they did to her in hospital.
We don't know the full/precise details of the story yet.
She refused to disclose/divulge any details about/of the plan.
details [ plural ]

More examples

A2 information about someone or something:

A police officer took down the details of what happened.
UK Can I have your details (= name and address, etc.), please?

› [ U ] the small features of something that you only notice when you look carefully:

I was just admiring the detail in the doll's house - even the tins of food have labels on them.
It's his eye for (= ability to notice) detail that distinguishes him as a painter.
in detail

B1 including or considering all the information about something or every part of something:

We haven't discussed the matter in detail yet.
The book described her suffering in graphic detail.
He talked in great detail about the furniture he's chosen for the living room.
go into detail

B2 to tell or include all the facts about something:

I won't go into detail over the phone, but I've been having a few health problems recently.

› [ C ] a part of something that does not seem important:

Tony says, he's going to get the car, and finding the money to pay for it is just a minor detail.

More examples

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

detailverb

uk ​ /ˈdiː.teɪl/ us ​ /dɪˈteɪl/

detail verb (CLEAN CAR)

› [ T ] US to clean the inside and outside of a vehicle very carefully:

You can skip the car wash; Rogers has all the equipment to wash and detail your car in your own driveway.
a car detailing company

(Definition of “detail” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“detail” in American English

See all translations

detailnoun

us ​ /dɪˈteɪl, ˈdi·teɪl/

detail noun (INFORMATION)

› [ C/U ] a particular fact or item of information, often noticed only after giving something your close attention, or such facts or items considered as a group:

[ C ] We have a report of a serious accident on Route 23, but so far no details.
[ U ] She showed a businesslike attention to detail.
[ U ] I can’t go into much detail, but I’ve been having some health problems recently.
We know roughly what he wants to do, but we haven’t discussed his plans in detail (= considering all the particular facts).

detail noun (GROUP)

› [ C ] a small group, esp. of soldiers or police, ordered to perform a particular duty:

A detail of five police officers accompanied the diplomat to his hotel.
detailed
adjective us ​ /dɪˈteɪld, ˈdi·teɪld/

›

a detailed account/description

detailverb [ T ]

us ​ /dɪˈteɪl, ˈdi·teɪl/

detail verb [ T ] (GIVE INFORMATION)

› to give exact and complete information about something:

The committee members issued a brief statement detailing their plans.

(Definition of “detail” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Blogs about "detail"

Countability – grammar codes

by Dom Glennon,

Translations of “detail”
 
Need a translator?

Translator tool

Get a quick, free translation!

What is the pronunciation of detail?
Browse