Detrimental Meaning
/ˌdɛtɹɪˈmɛntəl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjCausing damage or harm.
nounAnything harmful.
Sentence Examples
Mathematics is not detrimental to the appetite.
Indeed, computers are detrimental.
Tom's stressful job is having a detrimental effect on his health.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
Prolonged exposure to loud noises can be ____ to your hearing capacity.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Mathematics is not ____ to the appetite.
Word Origin & History
From Medieval Latin *dētrīmentālis, from Latin dētrīmentum (“harm”), from dēterō (“to rub off, wear”), from dē- (“down, away”) + terō (“to rub or grab”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
""The fact is," continued he, "Lady Anne fears that my visits here may prove detrimental to what she considers your best interests. I thought myself an old, safe friend; but, as that cannot be explained to every body, she fears that I may keep off other and more eligible lovers.""
— 1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “(please specify the page)”, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], published 1842, →OCLC, pages 142–143:
"It agrees that redundant services should not be continued but is not unmindful of the fact that too much retrenchment of rail services now may ultimately prove detrimental to the economy of the country."
— 1955 June, “Notes and News: Redundant Branches and Stations”, in Railway Magazine, page 434:
"Decisions made at the DfT inevitably reflect a London-centric experience, with a comparison being made with the closure of ticket offices throughout the London Underground network. This is not judged to have been detrimental, but there is a simple zonal fares system that is hardly comparable with the range of ticket types used on the national rail network."
— 2023 July 26, 'Industry Insider', “Ticket offices RIP?”, in RAIL, number 988, page 68:
"The definition of a parasite is a microbe that lives in you or on you to its benefit and to your detriment. In other words, the detrimentals suck the life out of you."
— 2012, Dr. Frank Springob, Bugs in My Brain, Poison on My Plate, page 137:
"I'm afraid it may be the detrimentals, the poets, and æsthetes, and impressionist painters, who will rave about her."
— 2022, M. E. Braddon, Beyond These Voices:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Prolonged exposure to loud noises can be ____ to your hearing capacity.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Mathematics is not ____ to the appetite.