detour
noun
a roundabout or circuitous way or course, especially one used temporarily when the main route is closed.
detoured
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past participleof detour.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof detour.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
detournouna roundabout or circuitous way or course, especially one used temporarily when the main route is closed.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It detoured a few thousand miles away to Utah.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 10, 2026
Several main roads in and around downtown, as well as some bus routes, have been closed or detoured.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2025
The southbound highway lanes were closed and traffic detoured for the police response.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 23, 2024
When she was about 16, she detoured into what she called her “boy era,” pulling back from rigorous year-round training to date and go to football games like other students.
From New York Times ● Mar. 31, 2024
On a cold spring afternoon, while walking home from school, I detoured through the playground at the end of our alley.
From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan
