Detached
/dɪˈtætʃt/
adjectiveverbB2past tense, past participle
Definition
Detached describes something that is not connected or joined to another thing. It can be used for physical objects, like a detached house that is separate from others, or for feelings, when someone is emotionally distant and not involved in a situation.
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See It in Action
Physically separated or not joined
- •The detached garage is a few meters away from the house.
- •He detached the label from the package carefully.
- •The door handle became detached after the accident.
Emotionally distant or not involved
- •She felt detached from the conversation because she was tired.
- •His detached attitude made it hard to know what he was thinking.
- •Sometimes doctors must stay detached to make clear decisions.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "detached" like "separate" (A2 word), but with a stronger idea of being completely apart or disconnected
- ✓Picture a small house standing alone with space around it, not touching any other building
- ✓It's the feeling you have when you watch a movie but do not feel any strong emotions or connection to the story
- ✓Sounds like "dee-TATCHT" → imagine pulling something off carefully so it is no longer attached
- ✓Imagine a balloon that was tied to your hand but now the string is cut and it floats away alone
- ✓NOT like "attached" (joined or connected), "detached" means fully apart or disconnected
- ✓When talking about feelings, NOT like "involved" or "engaged"; "detached" means calm and distant, not caught up in emotions
Try Other Words
- •Disconnected: not joined or linked (Use when emphasizing no connection, especially in technology or communication)
- •Aloof: emotionally distant or not friendly (Use when describing people who keep distance in feelings or behavior)
- •Unattached: not joined or linked physically or emotionally (Use when focusing on lack of connection, often with objects or relationships)
- •Isolated: completely alone or separated (Use when emphasizing loneliness or being alone far from others)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "de-" (meaning removal or separation) + root "tach" from Latin "attach" (to fasten or join) + suffix "-ed" (past tense or adjective form)
- •Etymology: From Latin "attachare" meaning to fasten, with "de-" added to show removal or separation
- •Historical development: Originally used to mean physically unfastened or separated; later also used for emotional or mental separation
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for houses, objects, and emotional states to describe being apart or uninvolved
Reflect & Connect
•Can being emotionally detached be helpful in some situations? When might it be a problem?
•How does physical detachment (like a detached object) compare to emotional detachment in relationships?
Fill in the blanks
1.The detached garage stood ___ from the main house, with a clear space ___ between them.
2.She felt detached from the group because she did not ___ in their conversation.
3.After the accident, the car's bumper became detached and ___ from the body.
4.Doctors sometimes need to stay detached so they can make decisions without ___ emotions.
5.The balloon detached from the string and ___ slowly into the sky.
6.Unlike being attached, detached means something is completely ___ or separate.
7.His detached tone showed he was not ___ interested in the topic.