redirect
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
to change the direction or path of something or someone; to send something to a different place, person, or purpose.
In computing, to send a user or data packet to a different web address or location; to divert resources, attention, or efforts toward a new objective; to forward mail or calls.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily transitive; often implies a conscious decision or systematic process. Can refer to physical movement, abstract focus, or digital information.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use 'redirect' identically. Spelling is consistent. The participle 'redirected' is used in both.
Connotations
Same neutral/technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US English, especially in technical, business, and administrative contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + redirect + Object (to + NP)Subject + redirect + Object + from X + to YRedirect + NPVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms specifically with 'redirect'. Related concept: 'to steer clear of' is an antonymic idea.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To reallocate budget or personnel to a new project: 'We need to redirect our marketing spend towards digital channels.'
Academic
To shift the focus of research or argument: 'The study redirects the discourse on urban development.'
Everyday
To give someone different directions: 'The road was closed, so we were redirected through the village.'
Technical
In web development, to send a user's browser to a new URL automatically via HTTP status codes like 301 or 302.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council will redirect the cycle path around the construction works.
- Could you redirect my post to my holiday cottage?
- She cleverly redirected the interview towards her new book.
American English
- The website will redirect you to the secure payment portal.
- We need to redirect federal resources to disaster relief.
- He tried to redirect the blame onto his colleague.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form.
American English
- No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adjective. Possible in compound nouns: 'a redirect rule'.
American English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adjective. Possible in compound nouns: 'the redirect URL'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher asked us to redirect our chairs to face the window.
- The sign said to redirect left.
- Please redirect any questions to the manager.
- Traffic is being redirected because of the accident.
- The charity decided to redirect its donations to more urgent causes.
- The system automatically redirects failed requests to a backup server.
- The prosecutor's line of questioning was skilfully redirected by the defence counsel.
- Government policy has redirected investment towards renewable energy infrastructure.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a road sign saying 'RE-DIRECT' with an arrow pointing a different way. RE (again) + DIRECT (point). You are pointing something in a new direction again.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVEMENT ALTERED PATH (The flow of something—traffic, money, attention—is conceptualised as moving along a path that can be changed.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'перенаправлять' (most accurate) vs. 'перенаправить' (perfective). The English word covers both perfective and imperfective aspects contextually. Do not use 'редирект' as a direct borrowing in formal Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'redirect' without 'to' when a destination is specified (e.g., 'They redirected the funds the new department' – INCORRECT; should be '...to the new department'). Overusing in non-technical contexts where simpler words like 'send' or 'give' would suffice.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'redirect' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral to formal. It is common in technical, administrative, and business contexts. In everyday speech, simpler words like 'send on' or 'forward' might be used.
The noun is 'redirection'. Example: 'The redirection of funds caused some controversy.'
Yes, it is very common. E.g., 'She redirected the conversation away from personal topics.' or 'The scandal redirected public attention.'
In email, they are often synonyms. Technically, 'forward' often implies sending a received message to a new recipient, while 'redirect' can imply the sender's address is changed or the message is sent automatically by a rule. In general use, 'redirect' emphasises changing the path/destination, while 'forward' emphasises sending something onward.