digressive
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- digressively adverb
- digressiveness noun
- undigressive adjective
- undigressively adverb
- undigressiveness noun
Etymology
Origin of digressive
From the Latin word dīgressīvus, dating back to 1605–15. See digress, -ive
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.
The titular hero begins his digressive story with a comic account of his own conception; at his birth his nose is accidentally smashed by the “man-midwife,” Dr. Slop.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026
During our digressive conversation, I learn, not surprisingly, that pretty much anybody who’s anybody resides in Clooney’s phone contact list.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026
The movie doesn’t get bogged down in this kind of thing, but it does have a somber air and a looser, more digressive plot than its predecessor.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025
Reporting on this impact is far more helpful than digressive debates over the exact meaning of the word "fascist."
From Salon • Jan. 22, 2025
Mr. Direck became aware of a tall, drooping man with long hair and long digressive legs in still longer white flannel trousers, and a face that was somehow familiar.
From Mr. Britling Sees It Through by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
