Divert
/daɪˈvɜːrt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo cause someone or something to change direction.
/daɪˈvɜːrt/
To turn something aside from its course or direction.
The river was diverted to supply water to the city.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're walking down the street, and suddenly a construction worker tells you to go another way because your path is blocked. That's like *diverting*! It's when something or someone is led off their original course.
👶 For kids: To make something go in a different way.
More Examples
The police diverted traffic away from the parade route.
They diverted some funds from the marketing budget.
How It's Used
"Traffic was diverted due to the accident."
"The shipment was diverted to a different warehouse."
To distract someone or something from a course of action or attention.
/daɪˈvɜːrt/
To distract someone or something from a particular activity or subject.
She diverted the children with a game.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're bored, and a friend tells a funny story to take your mind off it. That's *diverting* your attention! It's like providing something to entertain, amuse, or distract.
👶 For kids: To make someone stop paying attention to something.
More Examples
The magician tried to divert the audience's attention with a flash of light.
He tried to divert the conversation away from his mistakes.
How It's Used
"The comedian's jokes were designed to divert the audience."
"He tried to divert his mind from the stressful situation."
Idioms & expressions
divert attention
To draw attention away from something or someone.
"The company created a new marketing campaign to divert attention from their recent scandal."
From Middle French *divertir*, from Latin *divertere* 'to turn aside', from *di-* 'aside' + *vertere* 'to turn'.
The word 'divert' has been used since the 14th century with the core meaning of turning something aside.
Memory tip
Think of a river *diverting* from its original path. It’s redirected.
Word Origin
"to turn"