detect

IPA/dɪˈtekt/
KK[dɪtˈɛkt]IPA/dɪˈtekt/

detect — verb

  • detectpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • detectshe / she / it
  • detectedpast simple
  • detecting-ing form

1. to become aware of something that is hard to see, hear, or notice because it is

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to become aware of something that is hard to see, hear, or notice because it is not obvious or is intentionally kept from view.

Example

Eliska detected a hint of sadness in her friend's voice during the phone call.

detect + emotion in voice/speech

In the old photograph, the detective detected a small figure standing near the back door.

Common collocations
  • detect a hint of
  • detect a note of
  • detect a change in
  • detect signs of
  • detect a smell of
  • detect that…
Synonyms
  • notice

    more general and everyday; does not imply the thing was hidden

  • spot

    emphasises seeing something in a visual field; more informal

  • discern

    more formal and literary; suggests effort in perceiving

  • perceive

    broader, including mental awareness; more formal

Antonyms
  • miss

    to fail to notice something

  • overlook

    to not see something because you are not paying enough attention

Grammar Patterns

detect + noun phrase

detect + that-clause

detect + wh-clause

Usage Note

This sense focuses on becoming aware of subtle cues — a tone of voice, a faint smell, a small change in appearance. The subject is usually a person, but the object is always something non-obvious.

Common Mistakes

I detected that he was not telling the truth.
I detected a slight hesitation in his voice that suggested he was not telling the truth.
'detect' works for picking up a specific subtle sign, not for a general suspicion or conclusion.

2. to find or identify the presence of something by using technical devices, sensor

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to find or identify the presence of something by using technical devices, sensors, or laboratory procedures.

Example

The hospital's new scanner can detect tumours at a very early stage.

detect + medical condition with scanner

Scientists detected traces of heavy metals in the river water near the factory.

Common collocations
  • detect traces of
  • detect radiation
  • detect signals
  • detect movement
  • detect a tumour
  • detect leaks
  • detect chemicals
Synonyms
  • pick up

    more informal; often used for signals, sounds, or smells

  • sense

    broader, can refer to both human perception and machine reading

  • identify

    focuses on naming what has been found rather than just finding it

Grammar Patterns

detect + noun phrase

be detected + prepositional phrase

can/could detect + noun phrase

Usage Note

Very common in passive constructions and with 'can/could' to describe what a device or system is capable of finding. The subject is typically a machine, instrument, or scientist, and the object is a measurable substance, signal, or phenomenon.

Common Mistakes

The mechanic detected what was wrong with the car.
The mechanic found what was wrong with the car.
'detect' is about discovering the presence of something, not diagnosing a known problem.
I detected a cheap price online.
I found a cheap price online.
'detect' is not used for routine discoveries like finding a bargain.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe becoming aware of something, but they differ in how hidden or subtle the target is. 'Notice' is the most general — you can notice the time, a new haircut, or a typo without much effort. 'Spot' is more visual and slightly informal: you spot a friend in a crowd or a mistake in a report. 'Discern' is more formal and suggests careful, effortful perception — you discern a shape in the fog or a difference between two nearly identical sounds. 'Detect' sits between 'notice' and 'discern': it implies the thing was not immediately obvious and you used attention, experience, or a method to pick up on it. For example, you notice it is raining, spot a bird in a tree, discern a pattern in the data, and detect a hint of doubt in someone's voice.

notice ↗spot ↗discern ↗detect ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • detect changes
  • detect signs
  • detect signals
  • detect traces
  • detect patterns
  • detect faults

Adverbs

  • easily detected
  • quickly detected
  • barely detected
  • automatically detected
  • readily detected

Phrases

  • able to detect
  • fail to detect
  • used to detect
  • designed to detect
  • can/could detect

Prepositions

  • detect in
  • detect by
  • detect with
  • detect from
  • detect at

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'detegere', meaning 'to uncover or reveal' — formed from 'de-' (away, un-) and 'tegere' (to cover). The original idea was literally removing a cover to expose what is underneath. English borrowed it through French in the 1400s.