digression: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral, most common in written and prepared spoken discourse (e.g., lectures, essays).
Quick answer
What does “digression” mean?
A temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.
Any instance of straying from a central path, topic, or line of thought, either literally (e.g., in a journey) or figuratively (e.g., in a conversation).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The related verb 'digress' is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American academic prose according to corpus data, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “digression” in a Sentence
digression from [topic/subject]digression on/about [topic]digression into [area]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “digression” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I must not digress from the point.
- He digressed at length about his garden.
American English
- Let me digress for a moment.
- She often digresses into stories about her childhood.
adverb
British English
- He spoke digressively, weaving in many anecdotes.
- The essay proceeded digressively.
American English
- She answered the question digressively.
- The lecture moved digressively through several topics.
adjective
British English
- His speech was digressive but entertaining.
- The digressive narrative style confused some readers.
American English
- The article's digressive footnotes were informative.
- She has a wonderfully digressive mind.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in meetings or reports to note when discussion has strayed from the agenda. 'Let's avoid further digressions and focus on the quarterly targets.'
Academic
Common in critiques of texts or lectures. 'The author's digression on medieval law, while fascinating, disrupts the chapter's argument.'
Everyday
Used humorously or critically in conversation. 'Sorry, that was a bit of a digression—what were you saying about the holiday?'
Technical
In rhetoric, a deliberate digression is a recognised technique (e.g., 'aposiopesis' or 'parecbasis'). In computing, can describe a deviation from a protocol or algorithm path.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “digression”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “digression”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “digression”
- Misspelling: 'digresion' (missing an 's').
- Incorrect preposition: 'digression of' instead of 'digression from' or 'digression on'.
- Using it for a permanent change of subject (it implies temporariness).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it can indicate a lack of focus, a digression can be a deliberate, effective rhetorical tool to provide background, an interesting anecdote, or a different perspective before returning to the main point.
They are very close synonyms. 'Tangent' is slightly more informal and often implies a more sudden or sharper departure from the topic. 'Digression' can imply a more lengthy or structured departure.
Use phrases like: 'If I may bring us back to the main point...', 'That's an interesting aside, but regarding X...', or 'Before we digress too far, let's return to...'.
Yes, figuratively. It can describe a deviation from a plan, a career path, or a physical route (e.g., "Our walk included a pleasant digression through the woods").
A temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.
Digression is usually formal to neutral, most common in written and prepared spoken discourse (e.g., lectures, essays). in register.
Digression: in British English it is pronounced /daɪˈɡreʃ.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /daɪˈɡreʃ.ən/ /dɪˈɡreʃ.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To go off on a tangent (near-synonymous idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIGging a tunnel away from the main ROUTE causes a diGRESSION. It's a departure from the central line.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING/SPEECH IS A PATH. A digression is a side-path or detour from the main road of the conversation.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'digression' INCORRECTLY?