detract

UK: /dɪˈtrækt/ US: /dɪˈtrækt/ ,(di trakt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•tract /dɪˈtrækt/   v. 

1. to take away a part, as from value or reputation; lessen:
   [~ + from + object] That wild hairdo detracts from your appearance.
2. to divert;
   distract:
   [~ + object (+ from + object)] trying to detract attention from the real problem.

de•trac•tion /dɪˈtrækʃən/  n. [uncountable]
de•trac•tor, n. [countable] See -trac-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•tract  (di trakt′), v.i. 

1. to take away a part, as from quality, value, or reputation (usually fol. by from).

v.t. 

2. to draw away or divert;
   distract:
   to detract another's attention from more important issues.
3. [Archaic.] to take away (a part);
   abate:
   The dilapidated barn detracts charm from the landscape.

• Latin dētractus drawn away (past participle of dētrahere), equivalent. to dē- de- + tractus drawn; see tract¹
• Middle French detracter)
• late Middle English (1400–50

de•tract′ing•ly, adv. 
de•trac′tor, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

detract / dɪˈtrækt/ verb

1. when intr, usually followed by from: to take away a part (of); diminish: the building detracts from the beauty of the area
2. (transitive) to distract or divert
3. (transitive) to belittle or disparage

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin dētractus drawn away, from dētrahere to pull away, disparage, from de- + trahere to drag

deˈtractive, deˈtractory adjective

deˈtractor noun

deˈtractress noun:feminine

USAGE
Detract is sometimes wrongly used where distract is meant: a noise distracted (not detracted) my attention