detriment

/ˈdetrɪmənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdetrɪmənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈde-trə-mənt/ (ame, mw)

detriment — noun

1. harm or damage that happens to someone or something, especially as an unintended

1.名詞B2
釋義

harm or damage that happens to someone or something, especially as an unintended effect of another action or situation

例句

The new factory was built to the detriment of the nearby lake and forest.

fixed phrase: to the detriment of

Lin slept only four hours a night for weeks, much to the detriment of her health.

同義詞
  • damage

    less formal, more commonly used in everyday speech; 'damage' is countable for physical harm, while 'detriment' is uncountable in this sense

  • harm

    broader in scope, covers physical and non-physical injury; 'harm' is also less formal than 'detriment'

  • disadvantage

    focuses on the negative effect on someone's chances or position rather than on physical injury

反義詞
  • benefit

    a positive effect or advantage, opposite of a harmful effect

文法句型

to the detriment of [noun phrase]

without detriment to [noun phrase]

用法筆記

Almost always used in fixed prepositional phrases such as 'to the detriment of', 'without detriment to', or 'to one's detriment'. Common in formal, academic, and professional writing — rare in casual conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The accident caused detriment to his car.
✅The accident caused damage to his car.
💡'detriment' is rare as a direct object of 'cause'; it is normally used in the phrase 'to the detriment of'.

2. a person, thing, or factor that causes harm, damage, or disadvantage

2.名詞C1
釋義

a person, thing, or factor that causes harm, damage, or disadvantage

例句

The lack of street lighting proved a serious detriment to public safety in the area.

a detriment to [sth] — countable use

Cheap plastic packaging is more of a detriment to the environment than a convenience.

同義詞
  • liability

    a person or thing whose presence is likely to cause problems; 'liability' emphasises risk, while 'detriment' emphasises actual harm

  • drawback

    a less formal word for an unfavourable feature or aspect; 'drawback' is about weakness, not necessarily active harm

  • hindrance

    a thing that delays or blocks progress; 'hindrance' is about obstruction, while 'detriment' is about causing damage

文法句型

a detriment to [noun phrase]

用法筆記

Countable noun in this sense — typically 'a/serious/great detriment to [something]'. The uncountable sense (sense 1, HARM OR DAMAGE) is more common overall.

常見錯誤

❌Smoking is a detriment for health.
✅Smoking is a detriment to health.
💡The correct preposition is 'to', not 'for'.