digital detox: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2informal
Quick answer
What does “digital detox” mean?
A period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, and social media, to reduce stress or focus on real-life social interactions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, and social media, to reduce stress or focus on real-life social interactions.
A conscious, structured break from digital technology, often undertaken to improve mental well-being, productivity, or interpersonal relationships.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Usage and concept are identical.
Connotations
Equally associated with mindfulness, wellness trends, and concerns about screen time.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties, prevalent in lifestyle media.
Grammar
How to Use “digital detox” in a Sentence
[Subject] + go on/take/do + a digital detox[Subject] + need + a digital detoxa digital detox + from + [device/platform]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “digital detox” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We decided to **digital detox** for the bank holiday weekend.
- She's **digital detoxing** at a retreat in Wales.
American English
- They plan to **digital detox** during their camping trip.
- He's been **digital detoxing** since Friday.
adjective
British English
- They offer **digital detox** holidays in the countryside.
- She followed a strict **digital detox** regimen.
American English
- The cabin provides a **digital detox** experience.
- He's on a **digital detox** challenge with friends.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in discussions about employee wellness programmes and productivity, e.g., 'encouraging a digital detox over the weekend'.
Academic
Appears in psychology and media studies literature examining the effects of technology on mental health and social behaviour.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation about managing screen time, e.g., 'I'm on a digital detox this holiday'.
Technical
Less common; more likely in human-computer interaction studies discussing disconnection strategies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “digital detox”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “digital detox”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “digital detox”
- Using it as a verb incorrectly: *'I digital detoxed yesterday.' (Better: 'I went on a digital detox.')
- Confusing it with simply turning off a single device for a short, functional period.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal, popular term from wellness and lifestyle discourse, though it is used in some academic research contexts.
Yes, in informal usage (e.g., 'I need to digital detox'), though it is more commonly used as a noun ('go on a digital detox').
There is no set duration. It can range from a few hours to several weeks, depending on the individual's goals.
Not necessarily. It usually means abstaining from non-essential digital use (like social media and entertainment), while often permitting essential communication or work-related use.
A period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, and social media, to reduce stress or focus on real-life social interactions.
Digital detox: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪdʒɪtəl ˈdiːtɒks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪdʒɪt̬əl ˈdiːtɑːks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “unplug to recharge”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a phone plugged into a charger. A DIGITAL DETOX is like UNPLUGGING the phone (and yourself) to let your own batteries recharge.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIGITAL OVERUSE IS A TOXIN / DIGITAL ACTIVITY IS A SUBSTANCE. (Implies a need for purification/cleansing from the 'toxic' effects of constant connectivity.)
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a digital detox?