Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not connected or joined; separated: Describes something that is not physically linked or attached to something else.
   • Lacking logical sequence or coherence: Describes speech, writing, or thought that is not flowing smoothly and is difficult to follow.
   • Having the connection broken; interrupted: Often used for mechanical, electrical, or communication links that have been turned off or severed.
   • Marked by abrupt transitions: Describes a style or manner that shifts suddenly between topics or ideas.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The hose was disconnected from the faucet. (It was not attached.)
  • After the stroke, his speech became slow and disconnected. (It was not coherent or fluid.)
  • Please ensure the printer is disconnected from the power supply before opening it. (Its electrical link is broken.)
  • The movie's plot was so disconnected that I couldn't understand the story. (It lacked a logical flow.)

Advanced Usage

• "to feel disconnected from": to feel emotionally or socially detached from a person, group, or situation.
  • Working from home for so long, she began to feel disconnected from her colleagues.
• In formal or technical contexts, "disconnected" can describe a state of isolation in systems.
  • The server ran in a disconnected mode, processing data locally without network access.

Variants and Related Words

• Disconnect (verb): To break the connection of or between.
  • You should disconnect the old monitor before installing the new one.
• Disconnection (noun): The act of disconnecting or the state of being disconnected.
  • The disconnection of service was due to non-payment.

Synonyms

• Separated: No longer joined or connected.
• Incoherent: Expressed in a confusing way; unclear.
• Fragmented: Broken into small or disconnected parts.
• Interrupted: Having its continuity broken.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Disconnect from: To detach oneself physically or emotionally.
  • It's important to disconnect from work during your vacation.

Related Idioms

• A disconnected narrative: A story or account that jumps around and is hard to follow.
  • The witness gave a disconnected narrative of the events, confusing the jury.

Adjective

1. lacking orderly continuity
   • a confused set of instructions
   • a confused dream about the end of the world
   • disconnected fragments of a story
   • scattered thoughts
2. not plugged in or connected to a power source
   • the iron is disconnected
3. marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
   • abrupt prose
4. having been divided; having the unity destroyed
   • Congress...gave the impression of...a confusing sum of disconnected local forces-Samuel Lubell
   • a league of disunited nations- E.B.White
   • a fragmented coalition
   • a split group
5. (music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply
   • staccato applause
   • a staccato command
   • staccato notes