Synonyms

digress

American

[dih-gres, dahy-] / dɪˈgrɛs, daɪ- /

verb (used without object)

to deviate or wander away from the main topic or purpose in speaking or writing; depart from the principal line of argument, plot, study, etc.

Synonyms:

stray, ramble
Archaic. to turn aside.

digress British

/ daɪˈɡrɛs /

verb

to depart from the main subject in speech or writing
to wander from one's path or main direction

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See deviate.

Other Word Forms

digresser noun
digressingly adverb
redigress verb (used without object)

Etymology

Origin of digress

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin dīgressus “departed,” past participle of dīgredī “to go off, depart, digress,” from dī- di- ² + -gredī (combining form of gradī “to go”; grade )

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.

If David Nihill was a philosopher, his credo might be “I digress, therefore I am.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

If we really want to talk about moral failings, perhaps we should ask predatory lenders to join the chat—but I digress.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2024

That may be going a bit too far, but I digress.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2024

But I digress — this is supposed to be a positive column.

From Seattle Times • May 3, 2023

But though I can digress with the best of them, I am nothing in my soul if not obsessive.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023