divert
B2Neutral (Used in formal, neutral, and some informal contexts).
Definition
Meaning
To change the direction or purpose of something, or to distract someone's attention.
To entertain or amuse someone; to redirect funds, resources, or traffic; to turn something aside from its intended course or destination.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a temporary or deliberate change in direction, focus, or use. Can carry neutral, positive (entertainment), or negative (misappropriation) connotations depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Minor spelling preferences in derived forms (e.g., 'divertissement' vs. less common in US).
Connotations
Both varieties share connotations of redirection and entertainment. In legal/financial contexts, 'divert' often implies improper or unauthorized redirection.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in formal or news contexts in both regions. Comparable overall frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
divert something (from something) (to/into something)divert somebody/something (from something)be diverted (to/into something)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “divert the spotlight”
- “divert down a different path”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to the redirection of funds, investments, or personnel. 'The board voted to divert capital into the new venture.'
Academic
Used in discussions of policy, economics, or history regarding resource allocation. 'The study examines how foreign aid is often diverted.'
Everyday
Common for traffic, attention, or casual entertainment. 'Let's divert the conversation to a happier topic.'
Technical
In computing/networking: to redirect data packets or signals. In engineering: to alter the flow of a fluid or force.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The lorry crash diverted all traffic through the village.
- He tried to divert the discussion away from his mistake.
- The comedy film was meant to divert the audience.
American English
- The truck accident diverted all traffic through the neighborhood.
- She diverted the company's profits into a secret account.
- The magician's trick diverted the children's attention.
adverb
British English
- He spoke divertingly about his travels. (rare)
- The funds were divertingly channeled. (very rare/unnatural)
American English
- She smiled divertingly, trying to lighten the mood. (rare)
- Not standardly used.
adjective
British English
- The diverting path led to a hidden garden. (less common)
- She told a highly diverting anecdote.
American English
- It was a diverting side story in the novel.
- He found the puzzle diverting but not challenging.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The road was closed, so the police diverted the cars.
- A loud noise diverted my attention.
- They had to divert the river to build the bridge.
- The manager diverted funds to the marketing department.
- The politician skillfully diverted attention from the scandal.
- The novel is a diverting read for a long journey.
- Evidence suggested that charitable donations had been illegally diverted.
- The military strategy involved diverting enemy forces to a secondary front.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DIVERSion in a road – traffic is DIVERTED. Or, a VERy entertaining show can di-VERT your attention.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTENTION/FLOW IS A LIQUID THAT CAN BE CHANNELED ELSEWHERE. RESOURCES ARE OBJECTS THAT CAN BE REDIRECTED.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'развлекать' (to entertain) in all contexts – 'divert' for entertainment is formal/literary. The core meaning is closer to 'перенаправлять', 'отвлекать'.
- Do not directly translate 'divert funds' as 'развлекать фонды'. Use 'перенаправлять средства' or, for illicit use, 'расхищать'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'divert to' vs. 'divert from'. 'The water was diverted from the river to the reservoir.'
- Using 'divert' for simple 'turn' or 'change' without the sense of redirection. 'He diverted his car left' is less idiomatic than 'He turned his car left.'
Practice
Quiz
In a financial audit, finding that funds have been 'diverted' most likely implies:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but common in formal contexts (legal, official reports). In everyday speech, simpler words like 'redirect' or 'distract' are often used.
Yes, but this use is more formal or literary ('a diverting play'). In casual speech, 'entertain', 'amuse', or 'distract' are more common.
'Divert' often implies changing the course or destination of something tangible (traffic, water) or abstract (attention). 'Distract' is specifically for attention. 'Deflect' implies making something bounce off or turning it aside, often used for criticism or physical objects.
The direct noun is 'diversion'. 'Divertissement' is a rare, formal term for a short entertainment or diversion.