divert
deye-VURT
Divert (verb) means to change the direction or course of something. Example: “Police diverted traffic away from the accident scene.”
verb
1
To change the direction or course of something.
"Police diverted traffic away from the accident scene."
"Funds were diverted from the marketing budget to cover the shortfall."
2
To draw someone's attention away from something.
"She tried to divert him from the topic by changing the subject."
3
To entertain or amuse someone.
"The clowns diverted the children while the parents queued for tickets."
How to use divert
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo redirect something — traffic, money, attention — away from its original path, or to keep someone amused.
Common pairings
divert attention
divert traffic
divert funds
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- diverts
- Past tense
- diverted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Police _____ traffic away from the accident scene.
Etymology
From Old French divertir, from Latin di- ("apart") plus vertere ("to turn") — related to verse and versus.
Related words
Rhymes for divert
See all rhymes for divert →Frequently asked questions
What does “divert” mean?
The word “divert” means to change the direction or course of something. In plain terms, to redirect something — traffic, money, attention — away from its original path, or to keep someone amused.
How do you pronounce “divert”?
“Divert” is pronounced deye-VURT (/daɪˈvɝt/ in IPA).
How do you use “divert” in a sentence?
Here is “divert” used in a sentence: “Police diverted traffic away from the accident scene.”
What part of speech is “divert”?
“Divert” is a verb.
Where does the word “divert” come from?
The word “divert” comes from Latin. From Old French divertir, from Latin di- ("apart") plus vertere ("to turn") — related to verse and versus.
Is “divert” a common word?
“Divert” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “divert” have?
“Divert” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to change the direction or course of something.
