Word
detrimental
Phoneticsdetri·men·tal
US/ˌdɛtɹəˈmɛnəɫ/
UK/dˌɛtɹɪmˈɛntəl/
Formal
Definition
adj. causing harm or damage to something.
adj. causing damage, harm, or disadvantage. Often used with the preposition 'to'.
Examples
“Smoking is detrimental to your health.”
“The lack of sleep was detrimental to his performance in the final exam.”
“While short-term austerity measures may stabilize the budget, their long-term impact on social cohesion can be profoundly detrimental.”
Examples
simple
“Smoking is detrimental to your health.”
contextual
“The lack of sleep was detrimental to his performance in the final exam.”
complex
“While short-term austerity measures may stabilize the budget, their long-term impact on social cohesion can be profoundly detrimental.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “detrimental” in context.
Adjective
01. detrimental effect
“The excessive use of chemical fertilizers has a detrimental effect on the local ecosystem.”
adj + noun
Usage
Commonly follows the verb 'to be' and precedes the preposition 'to'.
Pitfall
Smoking is detrimental for your health.
Smoking is detrimental to your health.
The adjective 'detrimental' almost always takes the preposition 'to', not 'for'.
Real-World Examples
“Certain emotions were so detrimental to health that they could cause sudden illnesses, or even death.” “But this advice may actually be detrimental - so what can help women cope with their luteal phase symptoms?” Etymology
From Medieval Latin *dētrīmentālis, from Latin dētrīmentum (“harm”), from dēterō (“to rub off, wear”), from dē- (“down, away”) + terō (“to rub or grab”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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- Formal
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