I. de ‧ tail 1 S2 W1 /ˈdiːteɪl $ dɪˈteɪl/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: French ; Origin: détail , from Old French detail 'piece cut off' , from taillier 'to cut' ]
1 . [countable] a single feature, fact, or piece of information about something
detail of
She told me every detail of her trip.
down to the smallest/last detail (=completely)
Todd had planned the journey down to the smallest detail.
2 . [uncountable] all the separate features and pieces of information about something
in detail
He described the process in detail (=using a lot of details) .
This issue will be discussed in more detail in Chapter 5.
McDougal was reluctant to go into detail (=give a lot of details) about the new deal.
Editing requires great attention to detail.
the fine detail of the plan
have an eye for detail (=be skilled at noticing details)
Photographers need to have an eye for detail.
3 . details [plural] information that helps to complete what you know about something
details of
Full details of the incident were recently revealed.
details about
She refused to give any details about what had happened.
Details of the course can be found on our website.
further/more details
For further details, contact the personnel department.
4 . [singular, uncountable] technical a specific duty in the army, or the person or group with that duty:
the security detail
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ go into detail (=give a lot of details)
He refused to go into detail about what they had said at the meeting.
▪ describe/explain something in detail
The doctor spent time describing the treatment in detail to me.
▪ discuss something in detail
His report discusses the problem in detail.
▪ examine/consider/study something in detail
He asked his lawyer to examine the contract in detail.
▪ be set out in detail (=be written down and described in detail)
The changes to the system are set out in detail in the next paragraph.
▪ plan/work something out in detail
I haven't worked our trip out in detail yet.
■ adjectives
▪ great/considerable detail
The subject has already been studied in great detail.
▪ enough/sufficient detail
The party was criticized for not giving sufficient detail about their proposed tax changes.
▪ little detail (=not much detail)
Maps of the area showed little detail.
▪ fine/minute/precise detail (=very exact detail)
We've been through all the arrangements for the wedding in minute detail.
▪ meticulous detail (=very careful detail)
His books describe the mountains and their paths in meticulous detail.
▪ graphic detail (=a lot of very clear and often unpleasant detail)
I didn't like the graphic detail of the violence in the film.
▪ vivid detail (=in such a way that they seem real)
The three characters in the novel are described with vivid detail.
■ phrases
▪ attention to detail (=care that all the small features of something are correct or nice)
I was impressed by the hotel's attention to detail.
▪ an eye for detail (=skill at noticing all the small features)
He's a brilliant photographer with a fantastic eye for detail.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 3)
■ verbs
▪ ask for details
I went into the bank to ask for details about their student account.
▪ send (off) for details (=write asking for information)
Why don't you send for details of the course?
▪ send your details (=send your name and address to someone in the post)
For a free sample, send your details to us on a postcard.
▪ give details
Our price list gives details of special offers.
▪ provide/supply details
Hotels that join the scheme provide details of their accommodation and facilities.
▪ confirm the details (=make sure that they are correct)
Could you confirm the details of your reservation in writing?
▪ disclose/reveal/release details (=make secret information public)
The company has refused to reveal any technical details until next month.
▪ announce/publish details
Further details of the band's tour will be announced later.
■ adjectives
▪ further/more details
Check our website for more details.
▪ full details
The police have not yet disclosed the full details of the case.
▪ precise/exact details
Precise details of the evidence presented at that meeting have not yet been revealed.
▪ gory details (=full details about an unpleasant or interesting event – often used humorously)
She wanted to hear all the gory details about Tina's date with Nigel.
▪ personal details (=your name, address and other information about you)
Please make sure that all your personal details are correct.
II. detail 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1 . to list things or give all the facts or information about something:
The report details the progress we have made over the last year.
2 . detail somebody to (do) something to officially order someone, especially soldiers, to do a particular job:
Four soldiers were detailed to guard duty.
3 . American English to clean a car very thoroughly, inside and out SYN valet British English