digression

[ dih-gresh-uhn, dahy- ]

noun

1. the act of digressing.

   Synonyms: divergence, deviation

2. a passage or section that deviates from the central theme in speech or writing.

   Synonyms: divergence, deviation

Other Words From

• di·gression·al di·gression·ary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of digression¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin dīgressiōn-, stem of dīgressiō “departure,” from dīgress(us) “departed” (past participle of dīgredī “to go off, depart”; digress ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

The early meandering — including bland pages on former pro turned tournament director James Blake and a curious digression on a 1964 Susan Sontag essay — reflects a lack of focus that is distinctly un-Serena like.

From Washington Post

Even the rounder ones are prone to opaque digressions and have unconversational penchants for technical vocabulary.

From Washington Post

While Frankel uses “Midnight Cowboy” to trace broader cultural trends, some digressions are extraneous.

From Washington Post

Appleton’s digital garden, for example, includes thoughts on plant-based meat, book reviews, and digressions on Javascript and magical capitalism.

From MIT Technology Review

Before we get to conservatives, permit me this brief methodological digression.

From The Daily Beast

A slight digression: those of you who watch HGTV may have noticed a lot of Canadian accents on the shows.

From The Daily Beast

The point of this nostalgic digression involves the occasional real-world impact of media malfeasance.

From The Daily Beast

After that dizzying digression, she turns right back to her time in the state legislature again.

From The Daily Beast

At one point, he justified the calls with a markedly unhelpful digression about the movie Dr. Strangelove.

From The Daily Beast

Once he permitted himself a digression, that he might point a moral for the benefit of his servant.

From Project Gutenberg

But this digression has taken me so far away from Penzance that I may as well close this chapter with it.

From Project Gutenberg

Why, true; and a digression is often the cream of an article.

From Project Gutenberg

"I am nearly well," returned Sylvia, surprised at the sudden digression.

From Project Gutenberg

Having made this digression, I must now carry the reader back to Cocachacra.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• detour
• footnote