First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
divert
verb di·vert \də-ˈvərt, dī-\
: to change the direction or use of (something)
: to take (attention) away from someone or something
: to take the attention of (someone) away from something or someone
Full Definition of DIVERT
intransitive verb
: to turn aside : deviate <studied law but diverted to diplomacy>
transitive verb
1
2
: to give pleasure to especially by distracting the attention from what burdens or distresses
See divert defined for English-language learners
See divert defined for kids
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Origin of DIVERT
Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French divertir, from Latin divertere to turn in opposite directions, from dis- + vertere to turn — more at worth
Synonym Discussion of DIVERT
amuse, divert, entertain mean to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly. amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly <amuse yourselves while I make dinner>. divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny <a light comedy to divert the tired businessman>. entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods <a magician entertaining children at a party>.
Rhymes with DIVERT
advert, alert, assert, avert, bellwort, birthwort, Blackshirt, brownshirt, bush shirt, camp shirt, colewort, concert, convert, covert, desert, dessert, dissert, dress shirt, evert, exert, expert, exsert, figwort, fleawort, glasswort, hair shirt, Hastert, hornwort, inert, insert, invert, lousewort, lungwort, madwort, milkwort, mugwort, nightshirt, outskirt, overt, pay dirt, pervert, pilewort, ragwort, redshirt, revert, ribwort, saltwort, sandwort, Schubert, seagirt, sea squirt, soapwort, spearwort, spleenwort, stitchwort, stonewort, stuffed shirt, subvert, sweatshirt, toothwort, T-shirt, ungirt
DIVERT Defined for Kids
divert
verb di·vert \də-ˈvərt, dī-\
di·vert·eddi·vert·ing
Definition of DIVERT for Kids
1
: to turn from one path or use to another <Police diverted traffic.>
2
: to turn the attention away : distract <Bagman opened his mouth to ask Harry something, but Percy diverted him. — J. K. Rowling, Goblet of Fire>
3
: to give pleasure to : amuse <Paint and paper diverted the children.>
Word Root of DIVERT
The Latin word vertere, meaning “to turn” or “to change,” and its form versus give us the roots vert and vers. Words from the Latin vertere have something to do with turning or changing. Anything versatile, or able to do or be used for many different things, can change its task easily. A vertebra is a bone in the spine that allows an animal to turn its head or body. To avert is to turn away. To divert is to turn aside onto a new path. To revert is to turn back to a former way of being.
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