To detract from something means to make it seem less valuable, impressive, or enjoyable by drawing attention away from it or diminishing it in some way. When your little brother interrupts your presentation with silly noises, his behavior detracts from your hard work. When a beautiful painting has a crooked frame, that flaw detracts from its beauty.

The word often appears in the phrase “detract from,” and it suggests taking something away rather than adding to it. A talented singer might give an amazing performance, but if the microphone keeps cutting out, those technical problems detract from the experience. One rainy day doesn't detract from an otherwise wonderful vacation, but constant complaining about the weather might.

People who detract are sometimes called detractors. A detractor is someone who criticizes or tries to reduce the value of something or someone. When a scientist makes an important discovery, her detractors might point out minor flaws instead of recognizing the achievement. Some detractors raise legitimate concerns, but others just tear things down without offering anything constructive.