# detailing

/dɪˈteɪɫɪŋ/ (US) · /dˈiːteɪlɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/detailing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. decorative features

noun · CEFR B2

the small, decorative parts or features that make a design look complete.

For teachers: ornamental or decorative features on a building, garment, or piece of furniture that contribute to its overall aesthetic.

- The silver detailing on the dress made it look very expensive.
- The architect insisted on intricate stone detailing around the window frames to match the historical character of the surrounding neighbourhood.

### 2. thorough cleaning

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a very deep and careful cleaning of a car, boat, or plane.

For teachers: the process of meticulously cleaning, polishing, and refurbishing an automobile or other vehicle to a professional standard.

- He spent all Saturday morning doing a full detailing of his new car.
- Professional detailing can significantly increase the resale value of a luxury vehicle by restoring the interior and exterior to showroom condition.

### 3. describing in depth

verb · CEFR B2

the act of giving a lot of information or facts about something.

For teachers: the present participle of 'detail', meaning to provide a thorough and systematic account or description.

- The report was long, detailing every mistake made during the project.
- The witness provided a written statement detailing the sequence of events leading up to the accident in exhaustive clarity.

## Examples

- The architectural detailing on the old building is beautiful.
- The interior designer focused on the brass detailing to give the room a more luxurious feel.
- While the overall structure of the novel was sound, the intricate detailing of the historical setting provided the immersive quality that critics found so compelling.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.