details
details — noun
1. pieces of information that describe exactly what something is like, what happene
pieces of information that describe exactly what something is like, what happened, or what someone wants, with enough precision to give a clear picture.
Mei-Lin called the travel agent for details about the train schedule to Taipei.
details about + topic (train schedule)
The police asked witnesses to provide any details they could remember from the accident.
Please send an email with the details of your order so we can process it today.
Kwame wrote down every detail of the conversation while it was still fresh in his mind.
For more details on how to apply, visit the university website or call the admissions office.
- particulars
more formal, often used in official or legal writing
- specifics
emphasises exact, precise information rather than general facts
- information
broader in meaning; can refer to any knowledge, not just precise facts
文法句型
the details of/about + noun phrase
details on + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often appears in the phrase 'for more details' at the end of written instructions or announcements. In everyday speech, 'details' is almost always plural; the singular 'detail' refers to one specific piece of information.
常見錯誤
2. the small features or elements that together form the whole of something, such a
the small features or elements that together form the whole of something, such as a picture, a plan, a building, or a piece of work.
The architect spent weeks getting every detail of the windows exactly right.
every detail of + noun phrase
Anh noticed small details in the painting that the other visitors walked past without seeing.
The wedding planner checked every detail of the flower arrangements twice before the ceremony began.
A good story comes alive through details like the sound of rain on a tin roof or the smell of wood smoke.
The model of the new stadium included tiny details such as seats, lights, and ticket booths.
- elements
more neutral and general; can refer to essential or non-essential parts
- components
suggests parts that together form a functioning whole
- features
emphasises noticeable or distinctive parts
文法句型
the details of + noun phrase
every detail
用法筆記
Frequently paired with 'every' ('every detail') to emphasise completeness. Unlike sense 1, this sense focuses on the physical or structural components of a thing rather than factual information about it.
常見錯誤
3. the quality of being thorough by giving careful thought or effort to all the sma
the quality of being thorough by giving careful thought or effort to all the small elements of a task, project, or piece of work.
Her work on the fundraising event showed remarkable attention to detail from start to finish.
attention to detail — fixed phrase
The head chef has a sharp eye for detail and notices if even one herb is out of place on the plate.
eye for detail — fixed phrase
Software testing requires great attention to detail because a single typing mistake can crash the whole program.
The furniture maker is known for his attention to detail — every drawer slides smoothly and every corner is perfectly joined.
- thoroughness
emphasises doing a complete job rather than noticing small things
- precision
focuses on exactness and accuracy rather than completeness
- meticulousness
more formal; suggests almost overly careful attention
- carelessness
lack of attention or concern for details
文法句型
attention to detail
an eye for detail
用法筆記
Used as an uncountable quality, not the plural of 'detail'. Almost always appears in fixed phrases: 'attention to detail', 'eye for detail', or 'lack of detail'. This sense describes a person's approach or skill, not facts or parts.
常見錯誤
4. a small group of people chosen from a larger body to carry out a specific task,
a small group of people chosen from a larger body to carry out a specific task, or the task itself, especially in a military or official setting.
A detail of six soldiers was sent ahead to clear the road of fallen trees.
a detail of + number + people — structure
Corporal Rivera was put on kitchen duty as part of the morning work detail.
The security detail arrived at the hotel two hours before the ambassador's car pulled up.
The commander assigned a burial detail to dig graves for the soldiers who had died in the battle.
文法句型
a detail of + plural noun (people)
on detail
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (facts) and sense 2 (small parts). This sense is a specialised, countable use referring to people or their assignment. In civilian contexts, 'security detail' (bodyguards) is the most common survival of this sense.
常見錯誤
details — verb
1. to describe or explain something by giving every relevant fact, leaving nothing
to describe or explain something by giving every relevant fact, leaving nothing important out — for example, an eyewitness detailing the moments before a crash, or a report detailing the steps of an experiment.
The report details how the company plans to reduce its carbon emissions over the next five years.
detail + how + clause — structure
Omar detailed the events of the afternoon in his notebook, writing down the time each visitor arrived.
The email detailed exactly what items needed to be packed and where each box should be delivered.
Nora detailed the costs of the wedding in a spreadsheet so the family could see where the money was going.
The instructions that came with the bookshelf detailed every step from unpacking the box to attaching the last screw.
文法句型
detail + noun phrase
detail + how/what/where + clause
detail + that-clause
用法筆記
More formal than 'describe' or 'tell about'. Used in writing more than speech. Often found in reports, contracts, instructions, and official documents. The object is usually a process, event, plan, or set of facts — not a person's feelings or opinions.
常見錯誤
2. to choose and order someone from a larger group to perform a particular job or d
to choose and order someone from a larger group to perform a particular job or duty, especially in an organised or official setting.
Three firefighters were detailed to check the upper floors of the building for any remaining hot spots.
be detailed to + infinitive — passive, formal
The colonel detailed a small group of soldiers to guard the supply trucks during the overnight stop.
Two officers were detailed for crowd control at the entrance to the stadium before the match began.
The hospital administrator detailed a nurse to accompany the patient to the X-ray department on the third floor.
- release
to free someone from a duty or assignment
文法句型
detail + person + to-infinitive
be detailed to + noun phrase
detail + person + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Nearly always used in formal or military contexts. The person being assigned has no choice — they are ordered. In everyday English, 'assign', 'appoint', or 'send' are more common. Frequently found in the passive voice ('was detailed to').
常見錯誤
3. to add small decorative features or finishing touches to an object, artwork, or
to add small decorative features or finishing touches to an object, artwork, or surface to make it look more complete and refined.
The wooden cabinet was detailed with hand-carved flowers and leaves along the edges of each door.
be detailed with + decorative element — passive pattern
The artisan detailed the silver bracelet with tiny stars, each one no bigger than a grain of rice.
The ceiling of the temple was beautifully detailed with gold leaf and scenes from ancient stories.
文法句型
be detailed with + noun phrase
detail + noun phrase + with + noun phrase
用法筆記
Most common in art, architecture, and craft contexts. Often used in the passive ('the frame was detailed with...'). This sense is not the same as 'decorate' — it emphasises intricate, small-scale, often handcrafted additions rather than general decoration.
4. to clean a car, van, or other vehicle extremely thoroughly inside and out, often
to clean a car, van, or other vehicle extremely thoroughly inside and out, often using special tools and products to make it look almost new.
Jae-won took his old pickup truck to the garage to have it detailed before he tried to sell it online.
have + noun + detailed — causative pattern
The car-detailing team spent four hours shampooing the seats and polishing every surface until it shone.
After the road trip across the desert, Fatima paid a professional to detail her SUV and remove all the dust from the air vents.
A full detail service includes washing the engine, cleaning the leather seats, and waxing the outside paintwork.
Henry detailed his motorcycle every spring to protect the chrome parts from rust during the rainy months.
- clean thoroughly
descriptive phrase; not specific to vehicles
- valet
British English term for cleaning a car inside and out
文法句型
detail + vehicle
have/get + noun + detailed
用法筆記
The most common verb sense in everyday American and British English. A 'car detail' or 'auto detail' is a service you pay for. This sense does NOT transfer to houses or furniture — you detail a vehicle, not a room.
常見錯誤
5. to create technical drawings that show all the small parts of a machine, buildin
to create technical drawings that show all the small parts of a machine, building, or device with exact measurements and labels.
The engineer detailed the gearbox assembly so the factory workers could see exactly how each part fit together.
detail + mechanical object — engineering context
Every beam and joint in the bridge plan was carefully detailed in a set of large blueprints.
The apprentice learned how to detail machine parts using computer-aided design software over the course of six months.
文法句型
detail + noun phrase
detail drawing
用法筆記
A specialised term in architecture, engineering, and manufacturing. Not used in everyday conversation. A 'detail drawing' is a specific type of technical diagram showing a small section of a larger design at a larger scale.