Detailed: meaning, definitions and examples

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detailed

 

[ ˈdiːteɪld ]

Adjective / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

description

characterized by or exhibiting careful, thorough, and in-depth analysis or examination

Synonyms

comprehensive, meticulous, thorough.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
detailed

Use when providing specific information with attention to small elements.

  • She provided a detailed report of the incident.
  • The manual offers detailed instructions for assembly.
thorough

Ideal for describing an action or process completed with great care and completeness.

  • The investigation was thorough and left no stone unturned.
  • She gave the room a thorough cleaning before the guests arrived.
comprehensive

Appropriate for situations requiring complete coverage of a topic; inclusive of all aspects.

  • The study provides a comprehensive overview of climate change.
  • He prepared a comprehensive plan for the project.
meticulous

Best used when emphasizing extreme attention to minute details, often with a sense of care and precision.

  • Her work on the project was meticulous, leaving no detail overlooked.
  • He is known for his meticulous approach to research.

Examples of usage

  • The report provides a detailed analysis of the situation.
  • She gave a detailed explanation of the process.
Context #2 | Verb

action

to thoroughly explain or describe something

Synonyms

describe, elaborate, explain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
detailed

Use this word when you want to emphasize the thoroughness and inclusion of many small parts or specifics.

  • The report provided a detailed analysis of the market trends.
  • She gave a detailed description of the accident to the police.
explain

Use this word when you need to make something clear or understandable, often focusing on reasons or causes.

  • Please explain how this new software works.
  • He explained the reasons behind his decision.
describe

This word is best for giving a general picture or overview of what something looks like, sounds like, or feels like.

  • Can you describe what happened at the meeting?
  • He described the beautiful scenery in his travel blog.
elaborate

Ideal for situations where you start with a basic idea or statement and add more detail or clarification as you go.

  • Could you elaborate on your plan for the project?
  • She was asked to elaborate on her initial comments during the interview.

Examples of usage

  • He detailed the steps needed to complete the project.
  • The teacher detailed the instructions for the experiment.

Translations

Translations of the word "detailed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 detalhado

🇮🇳 विस्तृत (Vistrit)

🇩🇪 detailliert

🇮🇩 rinci

🇺🇦 детальний

🇵🇱 szczegółowy

🇯🇵 詳細な (Shōsai-na)

🇫🇷 détaillé

🇪🇸 detallado

🇹🇷 detaylı

🇰🇷 상세한 (Sangsehan)

🇸🇦 مفصل (Mufassal)

🇨🇿 podrobný

🇸🇰 podrobný

🇨🇳 详细的 (Xiángxì de)

🇸🇮 podroben

🇮🇸 ítarlegur

🇰🇿 толық

🇬🇪 დეტალური (Detaluri)

🇦🇿 ətraflı

🇲🇽 detallado

Etymology

The word 'detailed' originated from the verb 'detail' which comes from the Old French word 'detail' meaning a piece or part. Over time, it evolved to represent the thorough and in-depth examination or explanation that we associate with the adjective form of the word today. The concept of being detailed has always been valued for its ability to provide clarity and understanding in various contexts.

See also: detail, detailer, detailing.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,500, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.