noun

detriment

detriment, harm, damage

Smoking is a detriment to your health.

Smoking is a detriment to your health.

He worked long hours, to the detriment of his family life.

He worked long hours, to the detriment of his family life.

((a detriment)) ((to sth.)) something that causes harm or damage to (sth.) Smoking is a detriment to your health.

((to the detriment)) ((of sth.)) resulting in harm or damage to (sth.) He worked long hours, to the detriment of his family life.

Synonyms: harm, damage, disadvantage; Antonyms: benefit, advantage

From Latin 'de-' (away) + 'terere' (to rub). The original meaning was 'a rubbing away'.

Think of 'de-' as 'down'. Something that brings you down is a detriment.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.