detract
gb/dɪtɹˈækt/ us/dɪtɹˈækt/
C1
English
ront, csorbít, eltereli a figyelmet, levon, kivon
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
detract from [something]
The cheap frame detracts from the painting’s beauty.
Az olcsó keret rontja a festmény szépségét.
A few typos don’t detract from the overall quality of the report.
Néhány elütés nem rontja a jelentés általános minőségét.
Nothing should detract from her achievement.
Learner examples
The noise detracted from the movie.
A zaj rontott a filmélményen.
This small problem doesn’t detract from the result.
Ez a kis probléma nem ront az eredményen.
Common mistake:
Usually used with from ("detract from"), not "detract" + direct object.
Meaning
make something seem less good
Collocations
detract from the quality
|detract from the experience
|detract from the impact
|detract from the value
|detract from the overall effect
|detract from the credibility
|detract from the message
|slightly detract from
|significantly detract from
|does not detract from
Synonyms
diminish (More general; can be less formal.)
|
undermine (Suggests weakening something’s strength or effectiveness.)
|
mar (Often implies spoiling an otherwise good thing.)
Antonyms
enhance (Means to improve or add to the value or quality.)
|
improve (A general opposite: make better rather than worse.)
Themes
evaluation
|writing
|business
Definition
to make something seem less good or less important
To reduce the value, quality, importance, or attractiveness of something.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
detract from [something]
Constant jokes can detract from the seriousness of the topic.
Az állandó viccelődés elterelheti a figyelmet a téma komolyságáról.
The side issue detracted from the main point of the meeting.
A mellékkérdés elterelte a figyelmet a megbeszélés fő mondanivalójáról.
Don’t let minor details detract from what really matters.
Learner examples
The pop-ups detract from the website.
Az előugró ablakok elterelik a figyelmet a weboldal tartalmáról.
His comments detracted from the discussion.
A megjegyzései elterelték a figyelmet a beszélgetés lényegéről.
Common mistake:
Often confused with 'distract' (more common). 'Detract' is more formal and often implies reducing importance or effect.
Meaning
draw attention away from something
Collocations
detract from the main point
|detract from the argument
|detract from the discussion
|detract from the speaker
|detract from the central issue
|detract attention from
|detract focus from
Synonyms
divert (Emphasizes redirecting attention to something else.)
|
distract (More common and neutral; focuses on loss of concentration.)
Antonyms
highlight (Means to draw attention to rather than away from.)
|
emphasize (Means to make something more central or noticeable.)
Themes
communication
|attention
Definition
to make people pay less attention to something
To take attention away from something, making it less noticed or less central.
VERB
C2
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
detract [an amount] from [a total]
You can detract the service fee from the total to see the base price.
Az alapár megállapításához levonhatod a szolgáltatási díjat a végösszegből.
The rules allow you to detract certain expenses from your reported income.
A szabályok lehetővé teszik, hogy bizonyos kiadásokat levonj a bevallott jövedelmedből.
Common mistake:
This sense is uncommon in everyday English; 'subtract' is usually preferred.
Meaning
subtract or take away
Collocations
detract a percentage from
|detract a sum from
|detract points from
|detract costs from
|detract deductions from
Synonyms
subtract (The standard word in math and accounting.)
|
deduct (Common in accounting or official contexts.)
Antonyms
add (The opposite mathematical operation.)
|
include (Means to count something as part of the total rather than remove it.)
Themes
math
|quantity
Definition
to subtract an amount from a total
To take away an amount or part from a whole; subtract.
Grammar
Dictionary form
detract
IPA
GB/dɪtɹˈækt/
US/dɪtɹˈækt/
Syllables & stress
de - tract (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tract)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: detract
- 3rd Person Singular: detracts
- Present Participle: detracting
- Past: detracted
Word family
Forms
detracts
verb
detracting
verb
detracted
verb
Core family
detraction
noun
detractor
noun
Related words
detriment
noun C1
detrimental
adjective C1
Expressions
not to detract from [something]
1/nˈɑt tə dɪtɹˈækt fɹˈʌm sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
polite contrast before criticism
used to say you respect something, but you will add a criticism or different idea
Examples
- Not to detract from her success, but the team also worked extremely hard.
- Not to detract from your argument, but the evidence is still incomplete.
- Not to detract from what you’ve done, but we need a clearer plan.
Learner examples
- Not to detract from your work, but we should fix a few details.
without detracting from [something]
1/wɪðˈaʊt dɪtɹˈæktɪŋ fɹˈʌm sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
do something without reducing value
do one thing without making another thing worse
Examples
- The editor shortened the article without detracting from its meaning.
- You can modernize the logo without detracting from the brand’s identity.
- They added security checks without detracting from the customer experience.
Learner examples
- We can change the schedule without detracting from the quality.