What does detach mean?
Word: Detach
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Detach means to take a part away from the thing it is joined to, or to come away from it.
Synonyms: disconnect, unfasten
Antonyms: connect
How do you spell detach?
Syllables: de - tach
Tricky part: Words such as catch and match tempt students to add a t before the ch. This word does without it.
Watch out for: detatch, detache
Memory tip: When you detach something, you take a piece away, so take away that extra t as well.
Detach in a sentence
Example 1: Mihir had to detach the back cover to change the batteries in the remote.
Example 2: The rocket's lower stage will detach a few minutes after lift-off.
Example 3: You can detach the hood from this raincoat when the sun comes out.
Fun Fact
During the Moon landing of July 1969, the lunar module Eagle had to detach from the command module Columbia. Michael Collins stayed aboard Columbia while Armstrong and Aldrin flew down to the surface.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
d_t_ch
a) e, e
b) e, a
c) i, a
d) a, o
Show answer
b) e, a. The word opens with de, as depart and defend do, and the second gap takes the a of cat.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word detach as used in the sentence:
Ria was careful to detach the price tag from the gift.
a) remove
b) unhook
c) attach
d) separate
Show answer
c) attach. To attach a tag is to fix it on; the other three all mean taking it off.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
At the next big station, the railway staff will tdhace the last two coaches from the train.
a) decade
b) detach
c) detail
d) detect
Show answer
b) detach. All four options are six letters long, but only one has both an a and an h.
Spell-o-Spell
Three words in the list are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word.
1. fasten 2. enclose 3. detach 4. adheer
a) to tie or fix something so that it stays shut
b) to put something inside a case or envelope
c) to stick firmly to a surface
d) to pull one piece away from another
Show answer
c) to stick firmly to a surface. Adhere ends in ere, so the meaning wanted is the one about sticking.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The bottom of a form says: detach here. What are you being asked to do?
a) copy that part in neat writing
b) fold that part in half
c) sign your name at the bottom
d) tear that part off along the line
Show answer
d) tear that part off along the line
2. The strap on a camera bag can be detached with one click. What does that tell you?
a) It comes in several bright colours.
b) It is made of very strong cloth.
c) It is longer than most bag straps.
d) It can come off when it is not needed.
Show answer
d) It can come off when it is not needed.
