detail

Detail is a term used across disciplines to refer to a small part or a particular element of a larger whole, or to the specific information that clarifies, completes, or distinguishes something. As a noun, detail can mean a single fact or a set of particulars that describe features, functions, or circumstances. It also denotes an item of information that supports a conclusion or narrative, and in design and art it refers to the fine-grained features that enrich the overall appearance or function.

In practice, details matter for accuracy and quality. In journalism and research, details provide evidence and context; in architecture, engineering, and product design, detailing concerns measurements, materials, tolerances, and finish. In everyday use, paying attention to detail means noting the small, guiding elements that affect understanding or outcome.

As a verb, detail means to describe something thoroughly or to enumerate its components. It can also mean to assign a person or resources to a particular task or duty, such as detailing a guard, a crew, or a project team.

Etymology traces to Old French detail, from broader roots in Latin and early French usage, evolving to mean a part, a particular feature, or minutiae. The concept underpins phrases such as “the details matter” and “detail-oriented” in professional and scholarly writing.