Cool MateDetain vs Seize
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Detain
FormalTop 2,000 (common)C1verb
Seize
Top 1,000 (very common)C1verb
Most formal: DetainMost common: Seize
| Detain | Seize | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/siːz/","/ˈsiːzɪz/","/siːzd/","/ˈsiːzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/siːz/","/ˈsiːzɪz/","/siːzd/","/ˈsiːzɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To keep someone in a place, usually by the police, so they cannot leave. | To take something quickly or suddenly. |
| Example | The police decided to detain the suspect for further questioning. | The police decided to seize the stolen goods as evidence in the case. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | briefly, indefinitely, illegally, need not, for, in connection with, be detained in custody, be detained in hospital, detain somebody without charge | immediately, suddenly, by, from, seize hold of somebody/something, immediately, suddenly, by, from, seize hold of somebody/something, immediately, instantly, quickly, be quick to, be ready to, be determined to, on, upon, an attempt to seize something, the power to seize something, the right to seize something, immediately, instantly, quickly, be quick to, be ready to, be determined to, on, upon, an attempt to seize something, the power to seize something, the right to seize something |
| Antonyms | release, free, liberate | release, let go |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'retain' which means to keep possession of something., Using 'detain' when referring to someone simply waiting, instead of being held by authority., Incorrectly using 'detain' without specifying who is being detained. | Confused with 'cease' which means to stop., Using 'seize' with wrong tenses, e.g. saying 'seized' when meaning present tense., Mistakenly using it without an object, e.g. saying 'I seize' instead of 'I seize the opportunity'. |
| Usage notes | Used in legal and police contexts. Be careful using it informally; it's not common in everyday conversations about delays or waiting. | Use 'seize' when talking about taking control or possession of something. It can be used in legal contexts or to describe capturing opportunities. Avoid in very casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Detain vs Seize
What's the difference between Detain and Seize?
Detain: To keep someone in a place, usually by the police, so they cannot leave. Seize: To take something quickly or suddenly.
Which is more formal: Detain and Seize?
Detain is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Detain and Seize?
Seize is the most common in everyday English.
Are Detain and Seize the same CEFR level?
Detain: C1, Seize: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Detain and Seize interchangeably?
Not always. Detain and Seize are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.