Cool MateDetailed vs Thorough
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Detailed
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Thorough
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)B2adjective
Most formal: ThoroughMost common: Detailed
| Detailed | Thorough | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdiːteɪld/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdiːteɪld//dɪˈteɪld/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈθʌrə//🇺🇸 //ˈθɜroʊ// |
| Meaning | Including many small parts or facts. | Complete and detailed in everything. |
| Example | The report provided a detailed analysis of the data trends. | The report was thorough and covered all relevant information. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, seem, extremely, fairly, very | thorough analysis, thorough review, thorough understanding, thorough search, thorough assessment |
| Antonyms | simple, basic, general | superficial, incomplete, partial |
| Common mistakes | Using 'detailled' instead of 'detailed'., Confusing 'detailed' with 'demanding' or 'complicated'., Omitting the noun after 'detailed', making the phrase incomplete. | Confused with 'through'; remember, 'thorough' means detailed., Used interchangeably with 'comprehensive', but they have slightly different implications., Omitted the second 'h' in spelling. |
| Usage notes | Use 'detailed' when you want to describe something that contains a lot of information. It is appropriate in both written and spoken contexts, particularly in formal reports or extensive descriptions. Avoid using it in casual conversations where simplicity is preferred. | Use 'thorough' in formal contexts. It's appropriate for academic writing, reports, or when expressing carefulness. Avoid in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Detailed vs Thorough
What's the difference between Detailed and Thorough?
Detailed: Including many small parts or facts. Thorough: Complete and detailed in everything.
Which is more formal: Detailed and Thorough?
Thorough is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Detailed and Thorough?
Detailed is the most common in everyday English.
Are Detailed and Thorough the same CEFR level?
Detailed: B2, Thorough: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Detailed and Thorough?
Detailed: adjective, Thorough: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Detailed: The report provided a detailed analysis of the data trends. Thorough: The report was thorough and covered all relevant information.
Can I use Detailed and Thorough interchangeably?
Not always. Detailed and Thorough 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.