divert

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To turn aside from a course.

   • The workers diverted the stream away from the road.
   • Many of the remaining trains have been retimed and where possible freight trains have also been diverted to alternative routes.
   • Until the main road from Hatfield to Hertford was diverted a few years ago, heavy lorries trundling through the village sometimes knocked chunks off corner buildings, but now the village has regained much of its former tranquillity.
2. 2

   To distract.

   • Don't let him divert your attention; keep your eye on the ball.
   • that crude apple that diverted Eve
3. 3

   To entertain or amuse (by diverting the attention)

   • We are amused by a tale, diverted by a comedy.
   • But somehow, despite wooden, unfunny dialogue, rigid characterization, and the dreadful mindless meaninglessness of it all, Good News manages to divert us for its three hours.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      To turn aside

      To turn aside; to digress.

      • I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces.

The neighborhood

• neighbordiversion
• neighbordiversity
• neighbordiverse