divert
Americanverb
-
to turn (a person or thing) aside from a course; deflect
-
(tr) to entertain; amuse
-
(tr) to distract the attention of
Related Words
See amuse.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of divert
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin dīvertere, from dī- di- 2 + vertere “to turn”
Explanation
To divert means to shift or turn from one thing to another. A magician might attempt to divert your attention as he shoves the rabbit into the hat. The police will divert traffic if there has been an accident that blocks the road, and it's a good idea to divert some of your income into a savings account so you don't spend it all. Are you throwing a surprise party for a friend at his house? Have a neighbor divert him for a little while if he comes home early so that you can finish getting ready. While these uses concern physically guiding something to a different location, divert can also be used to mean "distract" or "entertain." If your friend can't stop worrying about her grades, you might want to divert her with the latest school gossip.
Vocabulary lists containing divert
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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.
According to a new report by Divert, Inc., nearly half of surveyed respondents said they are more likely to donate to food banks during the holiday season than at other times of the year.
From Salon • Nov. 29, 2023
Standing at the glass, the duality of past destruction — overlaid with the prospect of the future decimation that would require use of the Divert Airfield — felt like vertigo.
From New York Times • Jul. 7, 2023
Divert intercity traffic to State Highway 130, a road built east of Austin two decades ago for just this purpose.
From Slate • Oct. 19, 2021
But for those who take in Magic Happens, here’s a tip: Divert your eyes from the recognizable characters and brand icons.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2020
Divert, di-vėrt′, v.t. to turn aside: to change the direction of: to turn the mind from business or study: to amuse.—n.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
