divert

verb

Saydy-VURT/daɪˈvɝt/UK/daɪˈvɜːt/

Formsdiverts, diverting, diverted

4 meanings of divert

Practice

1
verbtransitive
To change the direction of something so it goes a different way.
Like moving a hose so the water sprays somewhere else.
Workers diverted the river to build the new dam.
Police divert traffic around the accident every weekend.
Similarredirect, reroute, deflect, channel, turn
Note
2
verbtransitive
To pull someone's attention away from what they are doing.
Like waving something shiny to pull a cat's eyes away.
The loud music diverted her from her homework.
Don't try to divert me with jokes when we need to talk.
Similardistract, sidetrack, deflect
3
verbtransitive
To keep someone happy and entertained for a while.
Like a fun game that makes the time pass quickly.
The clown diverted the children for an hour.
Funny stories divert the patients during long waits.
Similarentertain, amuse, delight, regale, occupy
Oppositebore
Note

Less common meaning

4
verbobsoleteintransitive
To turn away from a path, or to wander off the main topic.
Like leaving the main road to follow a side path.
The travelers diverted from the main road to rest in the shade.
I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces.
1641, John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 28 August 1641]”Here, diverted means turned aside from my way to go somewhere else.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin, made of 'di-' meaning 'apart' and 'vertere' meaning 'to turn'. It came into English through Old French 'divertir' and Middle English 'diverten'.