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Divert Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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divert

[dษชหˆvษœหt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

entertainment

To distract the attention of someone or something; to amuse or entertain.

Synonyms

amuse, distract, entertain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
divert

Use when aiming to change the direction of something or someone's attention away from one thing to another, often to avoid or prevent something.

  • The teacher tried to divert the students' attention from the noise outside.
  • The project was diverted due to unexpected challenges.
distract

Use when someone or something is causing someone to lose focus or concentration from a task; often has a negative connotation.

  • The sounds from the construction site distracted him from his work.
  • Her phone kept distracting her during the meeting.
entertain

Use when providing enjoyment or amusement, typically referring to organized activities such as performances, shows, or gatherings.

  • The band was hired to entertain the wedding guests.
  • They entertained us with stories of their travels.
amuse

Use when trying to make someone laugh or enjoy themselves, often through humor or enjoyable activities.

  • The clown managed to amuse the children with his funny tricks.
  • She brought board games to amuse the guests at the party.

Examples of usage

  • The magician used his tricks to divert the audience's attention.
  • She tried to divert herself from her worries by watching a comedy show.
Context #2 | Verb

traffic

To change the route or direction of something, especially traffic.

Synonyms

detour, redirect, reroute.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
divert

Used when you need to change the direction of something, typically temporarily. Can be used in various contexts such as traffic, attention, funds, etc.

  • The police had to divert traffic due to the accident.
  • He tried to divert attention away from the issue.
reroute

Used when changing the route of someone or something, similar to 'redirect' but more commonly used in the context of transportation or networks.

  • The airline had to reroute flights due to the storm.
  • We need to reroute the data through a different server.
redirect

Used when you need to send someone or something to a different place or focus. Often used in a formal or technical context.

  • The website will redirect you to the new page.
  • We need to redirect our resources to more important projects.
detour

Commonly used when an alternative route is taken due to some obstruction or issue on the main route. It often refers to road or pathway settings.

  • We had to take a detour because the main road was closed.
  • The construction made us take a detour through the countryside.

Examples of usage

  • The police diverted traffic away from the accident site.
  • The road closure forced drivers to divert their route.
Context #3 | Verb

funds

To reallocate money or resources to a different purpose or project.

Synonyms

reallocate, redirect, shift.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
divert

Used when changing the course or direction of something, often temporarily. This can refer to attention, traffic, or resources.

  • The police had to divert traffic due to the accident.
  • She tried to divert their attention from the issue.
reallocate

Used in formal or administrative settings to describe assigning resources, funds, or tasks to a different place or purpose.

  • The company decided to reallocate its budget to focus more on marketing.
  • They reallocated staff to different departments.
redirect

Used when directing something to a new or different place or purpose. It can be used for physical movement, attention, or resources.

  • The website will redirect you to the login page.
  • She tried to redirect their focus to the positive aspects.
shift

Used to describe a general or gradual change in position, direction, or focus. It can be applied to physical objects, attitudes, or resources.

  • There has been a significant shift in public opinion.
  • They shifted the meeting time to accommodate more people.

Examples of usage

  • The company decided to divert funds from marketing to research and development.
  • The government diverted resources to support disaster relief efforts.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • The term is often used in entertainment, where movies and shows divert audiences with plot twists and humor.
  • Many games use 'divert' as a mechanic where players must change their strategies to achieve victory.

Science

  • In physics, diverting a beam of light or a stream of particles can demonstrate waves and angles in experiments.
  • In environmental science, water diversion is crucial for agricultural practices and urban planning.

Psychology

  • Diverting attention is a common strategy in cognitive therapy to help individuals manage anxieties or intrusive thoughts.
  • Children often use play as a way to divert themselves from stress or negative emotions.

Literature

  • Authors often use diverts, or side plots, to enrich the main narrative and develop characters further.
  • The use of irony can divert a readerโ€™s expectations in a story, creating surprise or deeper meaning.

Origin of 'divert'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'divertere', which means 'to turn aside'.
  • In English, it has been used since the late 15th century to indicate a change in direction or focus.

The word 'divert' originated from the Latin word 'divertere', which means 'to turn aside'. It was first used in the English language in the late 15th century. Over time, 'divert' has evolved to encompass various meanings related to redirecting attention, traffic, or resources. The term has become commonly used in contexts ranging from entertainment to transportation and finance.

See also: diversion, diverted.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,299, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.