How Do You Spell DETRACT FROM?

Pronunciation: [dɪtɹˈakt fɹɒm] (IPA)

The phrase "detract from" is a common expression used to indicate something that diminishes the value or significance of something else. In terms of spelling, "detract" is pronounced as [dɪˈtrækt], with the stress on the second syllable. The word is spelled with a "c" rather than a "k" due to its Latin roots dating back to the word "detractus," meaning "to draw away" or "take from." The "c" also helps with the pronunciation of the following "t" sound.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
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DETRACT FROM Meaning and Definition

  1. The phrase "detract from" refers to the act of diminishing the value, importance, or quality of something or someone. It suggests that a particular factor or element has a negative impact on the overall desirability, attractiveness, or effectiveness of a particular object, concept, or person.

    When something detracts from another thing, it reduces its overall appeal or positive qualities. This can occur when a certain weakness, flaw, or unwanted attribute becomes noticeable and overshadows the positive aspects of the object or person. For example, an excessive amount of advertising might detract from the aesthetics or user experience of a website, making it less enjoyable or appealing to users.

    Additionally, "detract from" can also denote the act of diverting attention or focus away from a particular subject or issue, thus diminishing its significance or importance. In this context, distractions, irrelevant information, or conflicting opinions can all detract from the main topic of discussion, causing it to lose clarity or relevance.

    Overall, "detract from" implies a negative influence that lowers the overall value, importance, or appeal of something or someone, overshadowing the positive qualities and leading to a diminished perception or impact.

Common Misspellings for DETRACT FROM

  • setract from
  • xetract from
  • cetract from
  • fetract from
  • retract from
  • eetract from
  • dwtract from
  • dstract from
  • ddtract from
  • drtract from
  • d4tract from
  • d3tract from
  • derract from
  • defract from
  • degract from
  • deyract from
  • de6ract from
  • de5ract from
  • deteact from
  • detdact from

Etymology of DETRACT FROM

The word "detract" comes from the Latin word "detractus", which is the past participle of the verb "detrahere". "Detrahere" is a compound of the prefix "de-" meaning "away" or "from", and the verb "trahere" meaning "to draw or drag". When combined, "detrahere" means "to draw or pull away". Over time, the word "detract" in English came to mean "to diminish or reduce in value or importance". The phrase "from" simply indicates the object or thing from which something is being diminished or reduced. So, the phrase "to detract from" means to take away or diminish something's value or importance.

Idioms with the word DETRACT FROM

  • detract from (someone or something) The idiom "detract from (someone or something)" means to diminish or reduce the value, importance, or quality of someone or something. It refers to actions or factors that negatively affect the overall perception or impact of someone or something. It implies that attention or focus is diverted away from the intended person or thing, resulting in a less favorable impression or outcome.
  • detract from sm or sth The idiom "detract from something or someone" means to diminish or reduce the value, quality, or importance of something or someone. It suggests that certain factors or actions have had a negative impact on the overall impression or effectiveness of someone or something. It implies that a distraction or a negative component is taking away from the overall positive or desirable aspects of a particular thing or person.
  • detract from To detract from means to lessen the value, importance, or quality of something. It suggests that something has been diminished or made less effective by the presence or addition of something else.