Detract Meaning in English

word

US

dɪˈtɹækt

di-TRAKT

UK

dɪtɹˈækt

di-TRAKT

Definition

To make something seem less good, valuable, or important, usually by criticizing or drawing attention away from it.

Usage & Nuances

Usually used with 'from': 'detract from'. Formal or neutral, not for casual speech. Often about reputation, value, beauty, or achievement. Do not confuse with 'distract' (to divert attention).

• Spanish: restar valor - quitar mérito
• Portuguese (BR): diminuir - retirar valor
• Portuguese (PT): diminuir - retirar valor
• Chinese (Simplified): 贬低 - 减损
• Chinese (Traditional): 貶低 - 減損
• Hindi: घटा देना - कम कर देना
• Arabic: ينتقص من - يقلل من
• Bengali: মূল্য কমানো - গৌরব হ্রাস করা
• Russian: умалять - уменьшать
• Japanese: 損なう - 減じる
• Vietnamese: làm giảm giá trị - làm giảm
• Korean: 손상시키다 - 깎아내리다
• Turkish: değerini azaltmak - gölge düşürmek
• Urdu: کم کرنا - گھٹانا
• Indonesian: mengurangi - merusak

Example Sentences

The noise did not detract from my enjoyment of the film.

basic

Her mistakes did not detract from her overall performance.

basic

The stains detract from the beauty of the dress.

basic

While there were a few small problems, they didn't really detract from the experience.

natural

Don’t let one bad comment detract from your achievements.

natural

He’s a bit loud, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that he’s a great friend.

natural