detached
adjective
de·tached di-ˈtacht 
dē-
1
: standing by itself : separate, unconnected
especially : not sharing any wall with another building
a house with a detached garage
2
: exhibiting an aloof objectivity usually free from prejudice or self-interest
a detached observer
detachedly
di-ˈta-chəd-lē
adverb dē-
-ˈtacht-lē
detachedness
di-ˈta-chəd-nəs
noun -ˈtacht-nəs
dē-
Synonyms
- aloof
- antisocial
- asocial
- buttoned-up
- cold
- cold-eyed
- cool
- distant
- dry
- frosty
- offish
- remote
- standoff
- standoffish
- unbending
- unclubbable
- unsociable
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The house has a detached garage. a detached observer at company parties, taking it all in and saying very little
Recent Examples on the Web As a result, each has a slightly detached, dreamy quality that implies a displacement of the self. 
Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 The proposals also would ease special permit requirements for detached accessory apartments of up to 900 square feet, according to the department, as well as ease setback rules. John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2022 Additional accommodations come in the form of a detached guest dwelling. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2022 And, apart from Greg, who is older and semi-detached, everyone hails from Gen Z, and has the tics—linguistic, emotional, and technological—to prove it. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2022 While prices vary in the area, Mr. Clarke estimated the average price of a detached home at £550,000 ($670,000), rising to £750,000 to £1 million ($913,000 to $1.22 million) near the cathedral or close to a school. Michael Kaminer, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2022 But try finding any modern franchise without his mark: the detached irony of the dialogue, the empowerment story, the superficial feminism. Soraya Roberts, The Atlantic, 31 July 2022 Emergency crews also helped rescue three dogs and four puppies from the home amid the fire, which burned down a detached garage and totaled three vehicles. Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY, 13 July 2022 The fire from the camper ended up burning down the detached garage, totaling three vehicles and inflicting minor damage on the home. Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 13 July 2022 See More
Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 The proposals also would ease special permit requirements for detached accessory apartments of up to 900 square feet, according to the department, as well as ease setback rules. John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2022 Additional accommodations come in the form of a detached guest dwelling. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2022 And, apart from Greg, who is older and semi-detached, everyone hails from Gen Z, and has the tics—linguistic, emotional, and technological—to prove it. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2022 While prices vary in the area, Mr. Clarke estimated the average price of a detached home at £550,000 ($670,000), rising to £750,000 to £1 million ($913,000 to $1.22 million) near the cathedral or close to a school. Michael Kaminer, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2022 But try finding any modern franchise without his mark: the detached irony of the dialogue, the empowerment story, the superficial feminism. Soraya Roberts, The Atlantic, 31 July 2022 Emergency crews also helped rescue three dogs and four puppies from the home amid the fire, which burned down a detached garage and totaled three vehicles. Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY, 13 July 2022 The fire from the camper ended up burning down the detached garage, totaling three vehicles and inflicting minor damage on the home. Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 13 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see detach
First Known Use
circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing detached
Kids Definition
detached
adjective
de·tached di-ˈtacht
1
: not joined or connected : separate
a detached garage
2
: not taking sides or being influenced by others
They wanted the opinion of a detached judge.
detached 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others a detached observer at company parties, taking it all in and saying very little Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- distant
- withdrawn
- cold
- reserved
- aloof
- cool
- dry
- remote
- standoffish
- silent
- antisocial
- professional
- timid
- offish
- unsociable
- unbending
- clinical
- frosty
- asocial
- shy
- standoff
- dispassionate
- introverted
- cold-eyed
- unclubbable
- reclusive
- buttoned-up
- disinterested
- indrawn
- hard
- unconcerned
- indifferent
- impersonal
- uninterested
- apathetic
- misanthropic
- taciturn
- unsocial
- uncommunicative
- diffident
- recessive
- incurious
- reticent
- cliquish
- nongregarious
- cliquey
- clubbish
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- warm
- friendly
- sociable
- social
- extroverted
- expansive
- cordial
- companionable
- convivial
- outgoing
- communicative
- talkative
- extraverted
- gregarious
- garrulous
- hospitable
- folksy
- affable
- gracious
- boon
- clubbable
- amiable
- congenial
- clubby
- clubable
- agreeable
- genial
- kindly
- neighborly
2
as in separate
not physically attached to another unit a detached garage on the side of the house Synonyms & Similar Words
- separate
- single
- unattached
- disconnected
- unconnected
- discrete
- private
- freestanding
- independent
- individual
- free
- self-contained
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- attached
- connected
- joined
- linked
- adjoining
detached
2 of 2verb
1
as in removed
to take (something) away from or off of something else to which it is joined Detach the lower portion of the invoice and send it back with your payment. Synonyms & Similar Words
- removed
- separated
- divided
- split
- disconnected
- resolved
- disassociated
- dissociated
- disengaged
- divorced
- isolated
- disjoined
- decoupled
- disjointed
- uncoupled
- severed
- unlinked
- pulled
- disentangled
- dissevered
- disunited
- insulated
- sundered
- ramified
- fractured
- secluded
- unraveled
- parted
- untied
- unyoked
- unfastened
- disintegrated
- broke up
- ripped
- ruptured
- segregated
- disassembled
- fragmented
- bifurcated
- sequestered
- rent
- subdivided
- dissected
- partitioned
- dissolved
- decomposed
- cut off
- cleaved
- rifted
- tore
- rended
- segmented
- fractionalized
- bisected
- rived
- broke down
- quartered
- cleft
- fractionated
- broke
- lacerated
- cut
- perforated
- trisected
- dichotomized
- penetrated
- fragmentized
- halved
- slit
- punctured
- fragmentated
- incised
- slashed
- notched
- gashed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- combined
- associated
- connected
- attached
- mixed
- assembled
- blended
- coupled
- mingled
- fused
- bound
- closed
- welded
- stuck
- fastened
- cemented
- consolidated
- accumulated
- merged
- knitted
- linked
- unified
- united
- joined
- filled
- knit
- blent
- repaired
- agglutinated
- sealed
- sutured
- stitched
- healed
- patched
- plugged
- sewed
- mended
- darned
2
as in disengaged
to avoid engaging with or participating in something They were reticent people, completely detached from social life. Synonyms & Similar Words
- disengaged
- disentangled
- withdrew
- pulled away
- fled
- shrunk
- recoiled
- flew
- flinched
- shrank
- abandoned
- retreated
- evacuated
- retired
- left
- bowed out
- climbed down
- vacated
- backed down
- backpedaled
- backtracked
- departed
- receded
- fell back
- chickened (out)
- dropped back
- pulled out
- backed away
- quitted
- quit
- went
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- confronted
- bearded
- faced
- dared
- breasted
- advanced
- defied
- brazened
- outbraved
- braved
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of detached are aloof, disinterested, incurious, indifferent, and unconcerned. While all these words mean "not showing or feeling interest," detached implies an objective attitude achieved through absence of prejudice or selfishness.
observed family gatherings with detached amusement
While the synonyms aloof and detached are close in meaning, aloof suggests a cool reserve arising from a sense of superiority or disdain for inferiors or from shyness.
aloof from his coworkers
While in some cases nearly identical to detached, disinterested implies a circumstantial freedom from concern for personal or especially financial advantage that enables one to judge or advise without bias.
judged by a panel of disinterested observers
In some situations, the words incurious and detached are roughly equivalent. However, incurious implies an inability to take a normal interest due to dullness of mind or to self-centeredness.
incurious about the world
The synonyms indifferent and detached are sometimes interchangeable, but indifferent implies neutrality of attitude from lack of inclination, preference, or prejudice.
indifferent to the dictates of fashion
Although the words unconcerned and detached have much in common, unconcerned suggests a lack of sensitivity or regard for others' needs or troubles.
unconcerned about the homeless