details
details — noun
1. one of the small pieces, features, or facts that together make up something larg
one of the small pieces, features, or facts that together make up something larger — for example, the separate elements of a picture, a plan, a story, or a machine.
Niran studied every detail of the contract before signing it.
the details of [something] for referring to the parts of a document
The architect explained each detail of the building's design to the client.
Manuela noticed a small detail in the painting that everyone else had missed.
The report covered all the details of the project from start to finish.
Even the tiniest detail of the wedding dress was carefully chosen by the bride.
- element
more neutral; a basic part of a whole, without implying smallness
- component
more technical; one part of a larger system or machine
- particular
more formal; a specific item within a larger set
文法句型
the details of [something]
in detail
用法筆記
Often used in the phrase 'in detail' as an adverbial: 'We examined the proposal in detail.' The plural form 'details' is far more common than the singular 'detail' in everyday usage.
常見錯誤
2. a specific fact regarding a subject, event, or person — often used when giving o
a specific fact regarding a subject, event, or person — often used when giving or asking for more narrow information beyond a general statement.
Can you give me more details about the job opening?
detail about [something] for asking for information
Selim refused to share the personal details of his family life.
Please send us your contact details so we can reach you by phone.
Reema wrote down all the travel details including flight numbers and hotel addresses.
The police asked for details of what happened on the night of the accident.
- information
more general; facts about a situation without the implication of specifics
- particulars
more formal; specific facts about an event or arrangement
- data
more technical; facts and statistics collected for analysis
- generalization
a broad statement without specific facts
文法句型
detail about [something]
detail on [something]
用法筆記
Frequently appears in fixed phrases like 'contact details,' 'travel details,' 'further details,' and 'full details.' Commonly used in questions ('What are the details?') and requests ('Please provide details.').
常見錯誤
3. the quality of giving close and thorough attention to every small part of a task
the quality of giving close and thorough attention to every small part of a task, piece of work, or situation — rather than only looking at the big picture.
Her attention to detail made her the best editor at the publishing house.
attention to detail as a positive quality
The chef's attention to detail was evident in every dish served at the restaurant.
attention to detail as a positive quality
A good accountant pays attention to every detail in the financial records.
The project failed because nobody paid enough attention to detail during planning.
Mizuki admired the detail in the handmade furniture sold at the local market.
- thoroughness
the quality of being complete and careful in everything you do
- meticulousness
extreme care and precision, often implying time and effort
- precision
exactness and accuracy, especially in technical work
- carelessness
lack of attention or thought about what you are doing
文法句型
attention to detail
detail-oriented
用法筆記
Usually uncountable in this sense. The common phrase 'attention to detail' functions as a set noun phrase expressing thoroughness. Also used attributively: 'a detail-oriented person.'
常見錯誤
4. the small decorative features, fine lines, or subtle touches that together form
the small decorative features, fine lines, or subtle touches that together form the character of a painting, photograph, sculpture, building, or other creative work.
The detail in the marble horse statue was so fine you could see every muscle.
the detail in [work of art] for describing fine work
Ezra used a magnifying glass to study the detail on an old city map.
The photographer captured incredible detail in the close-up shots of dragonfly wings.
Piotr spent weeks adding detail to the faces in his portrait of the mayor.
The wooden ceiling of the old temple was full of beautiful carved detail.
- ornamentation
decorative elements added to something, more formal and less focused on precision
- intricacy
the quality of having many complex small parts, often implying difficulty to produce
- refinement
small improvements or subtle details that make something better
文法句型
the detail in [work of art]
用法筆記
In this sense, 'detail' can be uncountable (referring to the overall presence of fine elements) or countable (referring to a specific fine element). Common in art criticism and design reviews.
常見錯誤
5. a group of soldiers chosen for a special duty, the act of choosing them, or the
a group of soldiers chosen for a special duty, the act of choosing them, or the duty itself — for example, a guard detail or a kitchen detail.
A detail of six soldiers was sent to guard the bridge overnight.
a detail of [number] soldiers for a group assigned to a task
Sergeant Lauren was put in charge of the kitchen detail for the weekend.
The commander assigned a detail to repair the communications tower before dawn.
Each morning the officer announced the details for the day's camp duties.
- squad
a small group of soldiers, more general and not necessarily task-specific
- unit
a military group of any size, less specific to temporary assignments
- detachment
a group separated from a larger force for a special mission
文法句型
on detail
detail to [place]
用法筆記
Chiefly used in military contexts. The phrase 'on detail' means assigned away from one's regular unit for temporary special duty. The word can refer to the people (the detail), the task (a guard detail), or the selection process itself.
details — verb
- detailspresent simple I / you / we / they
- detailses3rd person singular
- detailsing-ing form
- detailsedpast simple
1. to give a full and careful description of something, including all its small par
to give a full and careful description of something, including all its small parts and specific facts — for example, detailing a plan to a team or detailing the events of a day.
Zuri detailed the schedule for the conference and answered everyone's questions.
detail + [schedule/plan/proposal] for explaining step by step
The report detailed how the money had been spent over the past three years.
detail + wh-clause (how, what, where)
Henry detailed the dangers of hiking alone in the mountains without proper gear.
The guide detailed each stop on the tour and mentioned the local history.
Dylan detailed the steps required to set up the new computer system at work.
- summarize
to give only the main points, leaving out details
文法句型
detail [something]
detail what/where/how
用法筆記
Common in professional and formal contexts — reports, presentations, instructions, and news articles. The object is typically a plan, process, event, or list of items. Frequently followed by a wh-clause ('detail how/what/where').
常見錯誤
2. to officially order someone to perform a particular duty or task, especially in
to officially order someone to perform a particular duty or task, especially in a military or work setting — often used in the passive form to say someone has been chosen for a special job.
Two officers were detailed to investigate the supply route through the forest.
passive: be detailed to [task/infinitive]
The captain detailed three soldiers to set up the camp before nightfall.
Tamar was detailed to escort the diplomats to the meeting at the embassy.
A team of engineers was detailed to inspect the damaged bridge the next morning.
文法句型
be detailed to [task]
用法筆記
Almost always used in formal or military contexts. The passive construction 'be detailed to [infinitive/goal]' is the most common pattern. Distinguish from noun sense 5 (MILITARY ASSIGNMENT) — the verb refers to the act of assigning, while the noun refers to the group or task itself.
3. to add small decorative features or finishing touches to an object, building, or
to add small decorative features or finishing touches to an object, building, or piece of work — for example, detailing a wooden cabinet with carved patterns or detailing the trim of a house.
The carpenter detailed the cabinet doors with delicate flower patterns.
detail [object] with [decoration]
The ceiling of the ballroom was detailed in gold leaf and fresh paint.
Each vase was carefully detailed by hand with coloured glaze and fine lines.
Niran detailed the edges of the garden path with small white stones.
文法句型
detail [something] with [decoration]
用法筆記
Common in design, architecture, and craftsmanship. The passive form ('the frame was detailed with carvings') is very frequent. The past participle 'detailed' also functions as an adjective — compare 'a detailed pattern' (elaborate) versus 'a detailed report' (thorough).
4. to clean a car, van, or other vehicle very thoroughly, both inside and out, incl
to clean a car, van, or other vehicle very thoroughly, both inside and out, including polishing the body, cleaning the upholstery, and scrubbing the wheels.
Selim took his truck to the garage to have it detailed before the road trip.
have [vehicle] detailed — common causative pattern
Manuela spent the whole Sunday detailing her car until it looked brand new.
The shop charges two hundred dollars to detail a full-size SUV.
Henry's father used to detail his old motorcycle every weekend in the garage.
After the off-road trip, Dylan paid a professional to detail his muddy jeep.
文法句型
detail [vehicle]
用法筆記
This sense is very common in everyday speech in American and Australian English. 'Car detailing' is a commercial service. The verb implies a much deeper clean than a standard car wash — it includes cleaning under the hood, conditioning leather seats, and polishing paintwork.
常見錯誤
5. to create precise technical drawings showing the exact measurements, materials,
to create precise technical drawings showing the exact measurements, materials, and construction of the small parts of a building, machine, or structure.
The architect detailed every window frame in the blueprints for the new library.
Engineering students learned how to detail connections between steel beams.
detail connections between [structural elements]
A specialist was hired to detail the staircase railings for the building plan.
Piotr spent three days detailing the foundation layout for the new warehouse.
文法句型
detail [part of structure]
用法筆記
A specialized sense used primarily in architecture and engineering. The noun form 'detail drawing' is more common than the verb. Intransitive use ('he details for a living') exists but is rare.