detour

[ dee-toor, dih-toor ]

noun

1. a roundabout or circuitous way or course, especially one used temporarily when the main route is closed.
2. an indirect or roundabout procedure, path, etc.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a detour; go by way of a detour.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to make a detour.
2. to make a detour around:

   We detoured Birmingham.

detour

/ ˈdiːtʊə /

noun

1. a deviation from a direct, usually shorter route or course of action

verb

1. to deviate or cause to deviate from a direct route or course of action

Word History and Origins

Origin of detour¹

1730–40 < French détour, Old French destor, derivative of destorner to turn aside, equivalent to des- de- + torner to turn

Word History and Origins

Origin of detour¹

C18: from French détour, from Old French destorner to divert, turn away, from des- de- + torner to turn

Example Sentences

Such detours are part of the production’s meticulous efforts to grab and keep our attention, rewarding us for watching closely.

From Salon

The seemingly random detours, they argued, would prove of little, if any, political value in an election that will likely be decided by a few thousand votes in the key battleground states.

From Salon

Reality shows incorporate these little detours to keep the energy light and lively.

From Salon

The pair have taken detours and hidden high up in the trees in the past but have never completely disappeared until now.

From BBC

“I would do a two-hour detour each way if it meant Trump not being president,” said Kimmel, executive producer of Comedy Central’s “Crank Yankers,” whose brother, TV host Jimmy Kimmel, has endorsed Harris.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deviation
• diversion