Synonyms

digress

American

[dih-gres, dahy-] / dɪˈgrɛs, daɪ- /

verb (used without object)

to deviate or wander away from the main topic or purpose in speaking or writing; depart from the principal line of argument, plot, study, etc.

Synonyms:

stray, ramble
Archaic. to turn aside.

digress British

/ daɪˈɡrɛs /

verb

to depart from the main subject in speech or writing
to wander from one's path or main direction

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See deviate.

Other Word Forms

digresser noun
digressingly adverb
redigress verb (used without object)

Etymology

Origin of digress

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin dīgressus “departed,” past participle of dīgredī “to go off, depart, digress,” from dī- di- ² + -gredī (combining form of gradī “to go”; grade )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I digress, though: This is a column about what is popular, not what is right and wrong!

From Slate • Jun. 24, 2025

He also lives in multiple homes and has his own private jet — but I digress.

From Salon • Sep. 7, 2023

Premium subscriptions are just a click away if you’re feeling froggy, but we digress.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2023

But I digress — this is supposed to be a positive column.

From Seattle Times • May 3, 2023

And Small Islanders eager to say their ancestry is “mixed”? But we must not digress.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023