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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

detachment

dih-TACH-muhnt

Detachment (noun) means a lack of emotional involvement; an attitude of calm distance. Example: “She handled the crisis with remarkable detachment.”

noun
1
A lack of emotional involvement; an attitude of calm distance.
"She handled the crisis with remarkable detachment."
2
A group of soldiers or vehicles sent away from the main military force for a specific task.
"A small detachment was sent ahead to scout the area."

How to use detachment

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither emotional distance from a situation, or a small group split off from a larger military unit.

Common pairings
emotional detachment a military detachment with detachment

Word forms

detachments plural

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She handled the crisis with remarkable _____.

Etymology

From French detachement, from detacher, "to detach".

Origin: French

Related words

Rhymes for detachment

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Frequently asked questions

What does “detachment” mean?

The word “detachment” means a lack of emotional involvement; an attitude of calm distance. In plain terms, either emotional distance from a situation, or a small group split off from a larger military unit.

How do you pronounce “detachment”?

“Detachment” is pronounced dih-TACH-muhnt (/dɪˈtæt͡ʃmənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “detachment” in a sentence?

Here is “detachment” used in a sentence: “She handled the crisis with remarkable detachment.”

What part of speech is “detachment”?

“Detachment” is a noun.

Where does the word “detachment” come from?

The word “detachment” comes from French. From French detachement, from detacher, "to detach".

Is “detachment” a common word?

“Detachment” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “detachment” have?

“Detachment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a lack of emotional involvement; an attitude of calm distance.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial