detail
detail — noun
1. one specific item of knowledge among many that belong to a larger topic; a singl
one specific item of knowledge among many that belong to a larger topic; a single fact about a person, event, object, or situation.
Amelia noticed one small detail about the painting: the artist had signed it in the corner.
detail + about + noun phrase
Every detail of the wedding ceremony was written down in a blue notebook.
Kenji asked for more details about the job before he agreed to the interview.
plural details for multiple facts
The travel guide included every detail of the hiking route, from trailheads to rest stops.
- specific detail
- important detail
- crucial detail
- minor detail
- detail about
- detail of
- spare details
- reveal details
- fact
neutral; 'detail' emphasises the small or specific nature of the fact
- particular
more formal; often used in legal or administrative contexts
- point
focuses on a single element in a discussion or list
- element
emphasises that this fact is one part of a larger whole
Grammar Patterns
detail + of/about + noun phrase
Usage Note
The singular form 'detail' refers to one fact, while the plural 'details' is used when referring to multiple facts or general information. Frequently paired with 'about' or 'of' to introduce the topic.
Common Mistakes
2. information collected about a person, event, product, or situation, especially w
information collected about a person, event, product, or situation, especially when it is useful for understanding or decision-making.
Hoa called the travel agency for details about flights to Osaka next month.
ask for details about
The police asked Ziad for details of what he had seen on the night of the robbery.
You can find full details of the conference on the university website.
full details of
The nurse asked Beatriz for details about her medical history before the check-up.
- contact details
- personal details
- further details
- provide details
- details of
- details about
- bank details
- shipment details
- information
broader and more general; 'details' suggests practical, specific information
- particulars
formal; often used in official forms and business documents
- data
more technical; commonly used in scientific or computing contexts
Grammar Patterns
details (plural) + of/about + noun phrase
Usage Note
In this sense 'detail' is almost always used in the plural form 'details' or as an uncountable mass noun. It differs from sense 1 in that it refers to information as a body of knowledge rather than individual facts.
Common Mistakes
3. the small, subtle elements or qualities of an object, image, scene, or piece of
the small, subtle elements or qualities of an object, image, scene, or piece of work that become visible when you examine it closely.
The woodcarver spent hours on the fine details of the dragon's scales and claws.
fine details of
Beatriz admired the tiny floral details embroidered along the sleeves of the dress.
You need a magnifying glass to see all the intricate details in the old map of Kyoto.
intricate details — small complex features
The architect studied the smallest details of the building before making her final changes.
- fine detail
- intricate detail
- small detail
- subtle detail
- close-up detail
- attention to detail
- eye for detail
- fine point
stresses precision and subtlety; slightly formal
- nuance
emphasises a subtle difference in meaning or quality
- intricacy
highlights complexity and interwoven elements
- particular
more general; a specific item in any set
Grammar Patterns
fine/intricate/small + details
Usage Note
Often paired with adjectives like 'fine,' 'small,' 'tiny,' 'intricate,' or 'subtle.' Common in discussions of art, design, photography, and craftsmanship. The phrase 'attention to detail' (sense 3) refers to the habit of noticing or creating such small features.
4. the state of being described or examined with full coverage of every aspect; use
the state of being described or examined with full coverage of every aspect; used in the fixed adverbial phrase 'in detail' to mean 'thoroughly and taking account of all parts.'
Selim explained his research project in detail to the visiting professor from Seoul.
explain in detail
The report describes each stage of the experiment in great detail for future researchers.
in great detail
The manager asked us to examine the budget figures in more detail before the meeting.
in more detail
The historian described life in medieval London in vivid detail, mentioning shops, streets, and markets.
- in detail
- in great detail
- in more detail
- in exhaustive detail
- explain in detail
- describe in detail
- examine in detail
- thoroughly
adverb with the same meaning but less idiomatic
- comprehensively
formal; covers all aspects
- exhaustively
suggests nothing has been left out
- briefly
in a short, incomplete way
- superficially
on the surface only, without depth
Grammar Patterns
in detail
in great/exhaustive/more detail
Usage Note
This sense is restricted to the fixed phrase 'in detail' (and its variants 'in great detail,' 'in more detail,' 'in excruciating detail'). The phrase functions as an adverb. Do not write 'in details' — the singular form is always required in this expression.
Common Mistakes
5. the act of presenting every relevant piece of information concerning a topic, pa
the act of presenting every relevant piece of information concerning a topic, particularly in speech or writing; used in the phrase 'go into detail' meaning 'to give a complete account.'
Asher did not go into detail about his reasons for leaving the company last spring.
go into detail about
Shanti went into great detail when she described her travels through Vietnam and Cambodia.
go into great detail
The article goes into considerable detail about how the new bridge was engineered.
Selim went into detail about the problems he faced during his climb up Mount Everest.
- go into detail
- go into great detail
- go into considerable detail
- not go into detail
- without going into detail
- summarise
to give only the main points
- gloss over
to treat something briefly rather than fully
Grammar Patterns
go into detail
go into great/more detail
Usage Note
Used almost exclusively in the phrase 'go into detail' (or 'go into ... detail'). This sense differs from sense 4: 'in detail' describes how something is done (the manner), while 'go into detail' describes the act of providing information (the action).
Common Mistakes
6. a part or element of something that is so small or insignificant that it does no
a part or element of something that is so small or insignificant that it does not affect the main outcome or meaning.
The colour of the tablecloth was a minor detail that nobody commented on at the party.
minor detail — unimportant element
Lucas worried about every tiny detail, even things that did not matter in the end.
Do not get stuck on small details when you should be focusing on the big picture.
Whether the invitations are blue or grey is a tiny detail that will not affect the party.
- minor detail
- small detail
- tiny detail
- trivial detail
- unimportant detail
- mere detail
- just a detail
- triviality
stronger dismissive tone; something that is truly unimportant
- trifle
suggests something of little value or worth
- technicality
a detail that seems minor but may have formal consequences
Grammar Patterns
minor/small/trivial + detail
Usage Note
Often used dismissively in phrases like 'just a detail,' 'a minor detail,' or 'a technical detail.' Can carry a slightly ironic tone when someone argues that an important point is 'only a detail.' Contrast with sense 1 (SINGLE FACT) where a detail is neutral.
7. a small team of soldiers, police officers, or workers selected to perform a part
a small team of soldiers, police officers, or workers selected to perform a particular duty or assignment.
A detail of four soldiers was sent to guard the supply depot through the night.
detail of + number + soldiers — military group
The kitchen detail included two cooks who prepared meals for the entire research crew.
The captain put Adisa in charge of the clean-up detail after the training exercise.
A security detail of six officers accompanied the ambassador to the airport this morning.
security detail — protective team
- guard detail
- security detail
- clean-up detail
- kitchen detail
- work detail
- detail of soldiers
- detail of officers
Grammar Patterns
detail + of + noun phrase (people)
Usage Note
Most common in military, police, and organisational contexts. The phrase 'guard detail' or 'security detail' refers to people assigned to protect someone. Also used in non-military settings like 'clean-up detail' or 'kitchen detail.' The noun 'detail' in this sense is countable but often treated as a collective noun (can take a singular verb).
go into detail(s)
idiomTo explain something thoroughly, giving all the relevant information.
Maya asked the mechanic to go into detail about the car's problems.
Could you go into details on how to apply for the scholarship?
detail — verb
1. to give a full written or spoken account of something, including every relevant
to give a full written or spoken account of something, including every relevant fact, step, or aspect.
Élise detailed the steps of the recipe in her cooking blog for beginners to follow.
detail + noun phrase (the steps)
The witness detailed everything she had seen from her apartment window that evening.
This report details three ways to reduce energy costs in large office buildings.
report details [information]
The professor detailed the main differences between the two ancient civilisations in her lecture.
- detail the plan
- detail the process
- detail the events
- detail the procedure
- detail the findings
- summarise
to give only the main ideas
- generalise
to make broad statements without specifics
Grammar Patterns
detail + noun phrase
detail + wh-clause (what/how/why)
Usage Note
Unlike 'describe' (which can be brief), 'detail' always implies a thorough, point-by-point account. The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. When the object is a clause (e.g., 'what happened'), do not insert a preposition ('detail about what happened' is incorrect).
Common Mistakes
2. to officially order a person or a group of people to carry out a specific duty,
to officially order a person or a group of people to carry out a specific duty, especially in a military or work setting.
The sergeant detailed three soldiers to search the abandoned warehouse for supplies.
detail + person + to-infinitive
Each morning the manager detailed a team of workers to load the delivery trucks.
Eitan was detailed to assist with the security setup before the conference began.
passive: be detailed to
The lieutenant detailed two scouts to check the path ahead before the main group moved forward.
- detail soldiers
- detail workers
- detail a team
- detail someone to
- be detailed for
- be detailed to
Grammar Patterns
detail + noun phrase + to-infinitive
be detailed + to-infinitive
Usage Note
Frequently used in the passive voice: 'X was detailed to [do something].' The active subject is usually a person in authority (sergeant, captain, manager). Outside military contexts, this sense can sound old-fashioned; 'assigned' or 'deployed' are more common alternatives in civilian English.
Common Mistakes
3. to wash, polish, and thoroughly clean every part of a motor vehicle, including t
to wash, polish, and thoroughly clean every part of a motor vehicle, including the passenger cabin, the outer bodywork, and all fittings.
Lucas took his old pickup truck to the garage to have it detailed before the sale.
have + vehicle + detailed (causative pattern)
The car wash offers a premium service that details both the interior and the exterior.
Amelia spent the whole Sunday detailing her motorcycle until it looked brand new.
Asher paid a professional to detail his van, including shampooing the seats and waxing the paint.
- detail the car
- detail the truck
- detail the motorcycle
- have the car detailed
- get the vehicle detailed
- professionally detailed
- full detailing service
Grammar Patterns
detail + vehicle noun phrase
have/get + vehicle + detailed
Usage Note
The noun 'detailing' is very common for the service itself ('a full detailing service'). This sense is distinct from general cleaning because it implies a meticulous, professional-level process. Common in automotive advertising and service menus.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- detailedadjectiveB1
- detailingnounC1
- detail-orientedadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All five words refer to a single item of information within a larger body of knowledge, but they differ in emphasis. 'Detail' (the target word) suggests a small, specific piece that contributes to a bigger picture — it is the most suitable word when you want to highlight that this item is one of many. 'Fact' is the most general and neutral; it simply states that something is true, without implying that it is part of a larger set. 'Particular' is more formal and often appears in official or legal language, as in 'the particulars of the case.' 'Point' is common in discussions and arguments; it refers to a single idea within a conversation or list. 'Element' suggests a fundamental building block of a system or structure, such as 'the elements of a contract.' In everyday speech, 'detail' is the most natural choice when talking about specific pieces of practical information: 'Tell me the details of the plan' sounds more natural than 'Tell me the facts of the plan.'
Common collocations
Nouns
- attention to detail
- eye for detail
- level of detail
- lack of detail
- wealth of detail
- degree of detail
Adverbs
- in detail
- into detail
- in great detail
Phrases
- go into detail
- spare no detail
- the devil is in the detail
- sweat the details
Prepositions
- detail of
- detail about
- detail on
Etymology
The word 'detail' entered English in the early 1600s from French 'détail,' meaning 'a piece cut off' or 'a small part.' The French noun came from the verb 'détailler' — 'de-' (apart) plus 'tailler' (to cut). In French, 'détailler' originally meant to cut something into pieces, like a merchant cutting cloth for sale. English first used 'detail' in the sense of 'a small part of a whole,' then later expanded to include the idea of telling something piece by piece. The military sense ('detail' as a group assigned a task) developed in the 1700s, and the vehicle-cleaning sense emerged in 20th-century American English.