Detrimental
/ˌdɛtrəˈmɛntəl/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Detrimental describes something that causes a negative effect or harm. It is used when something makes a situation worse or damages a person, object, or idea.
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See It in Action
Causing harm or damage
- •Smoking is detrimental to your lungs.
- •The chemicals were detrimental to the environment.
- •Loud noise can be detrimental to hearing.
Having a negative effect on success or progress
- •Poor time management is detrimental to finishing projects on time.
- •Negative attitudes are detrimental to team spirit.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "detrimental" like "bad," but stronger and more serious because it causes harm or damage
- ✓Picture a broken glass cutting your hand—this is a harmful or detrimental situation
- ✓It's the feeling when something ruins your plans or health, causing trouble or pain
- ✓Sounds like "de-tri-MENT-al" → imagine "ment" like "mental," meaning it hurts your mind or well-being
- ✓Think of a story where a character eats spoiled food and gets sick—this food is detrimental to their health
- ✓NOT like "unpleasant" (just uncomfortable), detrimental means it actually causes damage or harm
- ✓NOT like "small problem" (minor), detrimental means serious harm or loss
- ✓NOT like "helpful" or "neutral," detrimental always has a negative effect
Try Other Words
- •Harmful: causing damage or injury (Use when speaking simply or in everyday situations)
- •Damaging: causing physical or emotional damage (Use when emphasizing the result of harm)
- •Unhealthy: bad for health (Use when talking about health-related harm)
- •Negative: bad or harmful effect (Use when focusing on bad effects, not physical damage)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "de-" (down, away) + root "triment" (from Latin "damnum" meaning damage) + suffix "-al" (adjective form)
- •Etymology: From Latin "detrimentum," meaning loss or damage
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe loss or damage in legal or formal contexts; now used broadly for any harmful effect
- •Modern usage: Common in formal writing, science, medicine, and discussions about risks and harm
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be detrimental even if the harm is not obvious right away? How can we tell?
•How do we decide if an action is detrimental when it has both good and bad effects?
Fill in the blanks
1.Smoking is detrimental to your ___ because it damages your lungs.
2.Using too much fertilizer can be detrimental ___ the environment by causing pollution.
3.A detrimental effect usually means the result is ___ or harmful.
4.If a habit is detrimental, it often causes problems ___ a long time.
5.Saying negative things can be detrimental ___ a group's mood and teamwork.
6.Not sleeping enough is detrimental ___ your health and energy.
7.Sometimes, what seems helpful at first can turn out to be detrimental ___ the end.