Details vs. Detail — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
Details are individual facts or pieces of information, while Detail represents a singular specific or minor item or aspect.
Difference Between Details and Detail
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Details" and "Detail" both relate to specific pieces of information, but they differ primarily in number.
"Details" is the plural form, meaning it refers to multiple individual facts or items of information. When you're given the "details" of an event, you're being provided with various specifics about it. On the other hand, "Detail" is singular, focusing on just one particular piece of information. If someone shares a "detail" about their day, they're offering a single tidbit or fact.
Furthermore, while "Details" typically points to a collection of information, "Detail" can also convey the idea of meticulousness or thoroughness, as in "attention to detail."
Both terms are essential in understanding and communication, with "Details" giving a broader scope and "Detail" zooming in on the minutiae.
Comparison Chart
Number
Plural, multiple items
Singular, one item
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Definition
Individual facts or pieces of information
A singular specific or minor item or aspect
Usage Context
Broader scope of information
Singular or specific context
Relation to Thoroughness
Refers to comprehensiveness in general
Often used to emphasize meticulousness
Grammatical Aspect
Used when referring to multiple pieces of info
Used for a singular piece of info
Compare with Definitions
Details
Features or aspects considered minor.
The devil is in the details.
Detail
A singular specific or minor item or aspect.
He explained every detail of his plan.
Details
Specifications or particulars.
The contract laid out the details of the agreement.
Detail
An individual fact or item.
She remembered every detail of that day.
Details
Elaborate descriptions or explanations.
The book goes into the details of the event.
Detail
An individual part or item; a particular
Discussed the details of the proposal.
Details
Individual facts or items of information.
She shared the details of the meeting.
Detail
Particulars considered individually and in relation to a whole
Careful attention to detail.
Details
The finer points or nuances.
The details in the artwork were amazing.
Detail
A minor or an inconsequential item or aspect; a minutia
Skipped the details to get to the main point.
Details
An individual part or item; a particular
Discussed the details of the proposal.
Detail
A minute or thorough treatment or account
Went into detail about his travels.
Details
Particulars considered individually and in relation to a whole
Careful attention to detail.
Detail
A discrete part or portion of a work, such as a painting, building, or decorative object, especially when considered in isolation.
Details
A minor or an inconsequential item or aspect; a minutia
Skipped the details to get to the main point.
Detail
A representation of such a part or portion
A detail of a Rembrandt portrait illustrating the technique of chiaroscuro.
Details
A minute or thorough treatment or account
Went into detail about his travels.
Detail
A small elaborated element of a work of art, craft, or design.
Details
A discrete part or portion of a work, such as a painting, building, or decorative object, especially when considered in isolation.
Detail
Such elements considered together
The intricate detail of a rococo altarpiece.
Details
A representation of such a part or portion
A detail of a Rembrandt portrait illustrating the technique of chiaroscuro.
Detail
The rendering of artistic detail
The fine detail of the painter's brushwork.
Details
A small elaborated element of a work of art, craft, or design.
Detail
A group of military personnel assigned to a particular duty, usually a fatigue duty.
Details
Such elements considered together
The intricate detail of a rococo altarpiece.
Detail
The duty assigned
Garbage detail.
Details
The rendering of artistic detail
The fine detail of the painter's brushwork.
Detail
To report or relate explicitly or in particulars
Detailed the charges against the defendant.
Details
A group of military personnel assigned to a particular duty, usually a fatigue duty.
Detail
To provide with artistic or decorative detail
Detailed the quilt with colorful appliqué.
Details
The duty assigned
Garbage detail.
Detail
To assign to a particular duty
"The musicians and other non-combatants were detailed to carry the stretchers" (Peter Cozzens).
Details
To report or relate explicitly or in particulars
Detailed the charges against the defendant.
Detail
To clean (a car interior, for example) meticulously.
Details
To provide with artistic or decorative detail
Detailed the quilt with colorful appliqué.
Detail
To market to (a physician) the drugs sold by one's company,
Details
To assign to a particular duty
"The musicians and other non-combatants were detailed to carry the stretchers" (Peter Cozzens).
Detail
(countable) A part small enough to escape casual notice.
Note this fine detail in the lower left corner.
We missed several important details in the contract.
Details
To clean (a car interior, for example) meticulously.
Detail
(uncountable) A profusion of details.
This etching is full of fine detail.
Details
To market to (a physician) the drugs sold by one's company,
Detail
(uncountable) The small parts that can escape casual notice.
Details
Plural of detail
Detail
A part considered trivial enough to ignore.
I don't concern myself with the details of accounting.
Details
Confidential information.
Detail
(countable) A person's name, address and other personal information.
The arresting officer asked the suspect for his details.
Details
True confidential information;
After the trial he gave us the real details
Detail
A temporary unit or assignment.
Detail
An individual feature, fact, or other item, considered separately from the whole of which it is a part.
Detail
A narrative which relates minute points; an account which dwells on particulars.
Detail
(paintings) A selected portion of a painting.
Detail
(transitive) To explain in detail.
I'll detail the exact procedure to you later.
Detail
(transitive) To clean carefully (particularly of road vehicles) lang=en}}
We need to have the minivan detailed.
Detail
To assign to a particular task.
Detail
A minute portion; one of the small parts; a particular; an item; - used chiefly in the plural; as, the details of a scheme or transaction.
The details of the campaign in Italy.
Detail
A narrative which relates minute points; an account which dwells on particulars.
Detail
The selection for a particular service of a person or a body of men; hence, the person or the body of men so selected.
Detail
A minor part, as, in a building, the cornice, caps of the buttresses, capitals of the columns, etc., or (called larger details) a porch, a gable with its windows, a pavilion, or an attached tower.
Detail
To relate in particulars; to particularize; to report minutely and distinctly; to enumerate; to specify; as, he detailed all the facts in due order.
Detail
To tell off or appoint for a particular service, as an officer, a troop, or a squadron.
Detail
To provide with fine or intricate added decoration.
Detail
An isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole;
Several of the details are similar
A point of information
Detail
A small part that can be considered separately from the whole;
It was perfect in all details
Detail
Extended treatment of particulars;
The essay contained too much detail
Detail
A crew of workers selected for a particular task;
A detail was sent to remove the fallen trees
Detail
A temporary military unit;
The peace-keeping force includes one British contingent
Detail
Provide details for
Detail
Assign to a specific task;
The ambulances were detailed to the fire station
Detail
A minute or finer point.
I appreciate the detail in this painting.
Detail
A small decorative design or feature.
The dress has beautiful lace detail.
Detail
Thoroughness in treating subjects.
Her attention to detail is commendable.
Common Curiosities
Which word would describe the small elements in a painting?
Both can, but "detail" often refers to individual small elements.
Can "detail" be a verb?
Yes, as in "The officer detailed the steps of the procedure."
Can "detail" indicate thoroughness?
Yes, as in "attention to detail," which means being meticulous.
Are the two words interchangeable?
Not always. "Details" is plural, while "Detail" is singular.
Can "details" refer to the specifics of just one topic?
Yes, "details" can refer to multiple specifics related to one topic.
Is "details" always about something complex?
No, "details" simply refers to individual pieces of information.
Why do people say "the devil is in the details"?
It means small things can complicate matters or have a big impact.
Can "detail" refer to decoration?
Yes, especially in design contexts, like "architectural detail."
Is "in detail" the same as "in details"?
Generally, "in detail" is more common and means thoroughly or extensively.
Can you provide "details" without giving every "detail"?
Yes, you can give an overview or select specifics without sharing every single detail.
Can a story have too much "detail"?
Yes, sometimes excessive detail can be overwhelming or unnecessary.
How can one improve attention to "detail"?
By practicing mindfulness, double-checking work, and being observant.
Is "detail-oriented" a good trait?
Often, yes. It means one pays close attention to the specifics.
Which word would you use for the specifications of a machine?
Both can be used, but "details" often refers to a list of specifications.
Can "details" be confidential?
Yes, for example, "confidential details of the agreement."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
