de‧tect W3 AC / dɪtekt / 动词 [及物动词]

to notice or discover something, especially something that is not easy to see, hear etc :

Many forms of cancer can be cured if detected early.

difficult/impossible/easy/possible etc to detect

detect a change/difference

Dan detected a change in her mood.

detect a note of sarcasm/irony/excitement etc

Do I detect a note of sarcasm in your voice?

— detectable 形容词

THESAURUS

notice to realize that something is there or that something is happening, because you can see, hear, or feel it : I noticed that he was rather quiet during dinner. | Children don’t seem to notice the cold. | ‘Julie’s home.’ ‘Yes, I noticed her bicycle outside.’

detect to notice something that is difficult to see, hear etc because it is very small, faint, or unclear. Detect is used about people and machines, and is more formal than notice : X-ray telescopes can now detect virtually every type of astronomical object. | He thought he detected a flicker of interest in her eyes.

spot to notice something, especially something that is difficult to see or that you see for a short time only. Spot is more informal than notice : Can you spot the difference between these two pictures? | I’m glad you spotted the mistake before it was too late.

become aware/conscious to gradually begin to notice that something is happening or is true : I became aware that Mum was getting a lot older. | Tessa became conscious of a feeling of guilt.

can tell to be able to notice something because you can see, smell, hear it etc : I could tell that she had been drinking. | Can you tell I’ve lost weight?

something/somebody catches your eye used to say that you suddenly notice something or someone because they are interesting, attractive, or good at something : I saw this shirt in the shop window and it just caught my eye. | Clarke caught the eye of boss Bryan Robson when he scored for Newry last week.

observe formal to notice something as a result of watching or studying it closely : Psychologists observed that the mice became more aggressive in smaller cages.

perceive formal to notice something, especially that something is happening, or is true, or needs to be done : The company quickly perceived the need for change. | Doctors perceive that they do not have adequate time to spend with their patients.

witness to see something happen because you are there at the time : People have witnessed some great economic changes during the last ten years.

miss to not notice something because it is difficult to see : It’s easy to miss the entrance – the sign is hidden behind a tree.