adjective
Uncommon
detached
dih-TACHT
Detached (adjective) means not physically joined to anything else; standing separately. Example: “They live in a detached house on the edge of town.”
adjective
1
Not physically joined to anything else; standing separately.
"They live in a detached house on the edge of town."
"The detached garage stands a few metres away from the main building."
"We wanted a detached cottage so the neighbours would not hear us."
2
Not emotionally involved; distant or impartial.
"The judge remained detached throughout the emotional testimony."
"He spoke in a detached tone, as if the news did not affect him."
"A good referee stays detached and does not take sides."
How to use detached
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither physically separate (like a house), or emotionally distant and impartial.
UK vs US
In UK property listings, "detached house" is a common and meaningful category (vs. semi-detached or terraced); this distinction is less used in US real estate.
Common pairings
a detached house
remain detached
emotionally detached
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more detached
- Superlative
- most detached
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They live in a _____ house on the edge of town.
Synonyms
View more →
separate
freestanding
isolated
aloof
dispassionate
impartial
unaffectionate
separated
degage
uninvolved
free
uncaring
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for detached
See all rhymes for detached →Frequently asked questions
What does “detached” mean?
The word “detached” means not physically joined to anything else; standing separately. In plain terms, either physically separate (like a house), or emotionally distant and impartial.
How do you pronounce “detached”?
“Detached” is pronounced dih-TACHT (/dɪˈtæt͡ʃt/ in IPA).
How do you use “detached” in a sentence?
Here is “detached” used in a sentence: “They live in a detached house on the edge of town.”
What part of speech is “detached”?
“Detached” is an adjective.
Is “detached” a common word?
“Detached” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “detached” have?
“Detached” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not physically joined to anything else; standing separately.
What is the difference between detached and semi-detached?
A detached house stands completely on its own with no shared walls, while a semi-detached house shares one wall with a neighbouring property. The distinction is common in British property terminology.
What is the difference between detached and aloof?
Detached describes someone who is not emotionally involved, often in a calm or impartial way, while aloof suggests a colder, more deliberate distance from others, sometimes bordering on unfriendly. Detached can be neutral or even professional, whereas aloof usually carries a negative tone.
Can detached describe both objects and people?
Yes, detached can describe something physically separate, such as a detached garage, or someone emotionally distant or impartial, such as a detached observer. The meaning shifts depending on whether it applies to a physical object or a person's demeanour.
