divert

[ dih-vurt, dahy- ]
See synonyms for: divertdiverteddiverting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to turn aside or from a path or course; deflect.

  2. British. to route (traffic) on a detour.

  1. to draw off to a different course, purpose, etc.

  2. to distract from serious occupation; entertain or amuse.

verb (used without object)
  1. to turn aside; veer: It is sad to see so much talent divert to trivial occupations.

Origin of divert

1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin dīvertere, from dī- di-2 + vertere “to turn”

synonym study For divert

4. See amuse.

Other words for divert

Opposites for divert

Other words from divert

  • di·vert·ed·ly, adverb
  • di·vert·er, noun
  • di·vert·i·ble, adjective
  • pre·di·vert, verb (used with object)
  • re·di·vert, verb (used with object)
  • un·di·vert·ed, adjective
  • un·di·vert·i·ble, adjective

Words Nearby divert

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use divert in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for divert

divert

/ (daɪˈvɜːt) /


verb
  1. to turn (a person or thing) aside from a course; deflect

  2. (tr) to entertain; amuse

  1. (tr) to distract the attention of

Origin of divert

1
C15: from French divertir, from Latin dīvertere to turn aside, from di- ² + vertere to turn

Derived forms of divert

  • diverter, noun
  • divertible, adjective
  • diverting, adjective
  • divertingly, adverb
  • divertive, adjective

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