The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

digress

IPA:

Dictionary definition of digress

To depart from the main topic or theme of a conversation, discussion, or piece of writing and instead veering into unrelated or tangential subjects.
"She couldn't help but digress while telling her story."

Detailed meaning of digress

When someone digresses, they temporarily shift their focus or attention away from the primary subject, often going off on a tangent. This diversion can occur for various reasons, such as adding additional information, addressing related but secondary points, or simply getting sidetracked. While digressions can sometimes enrich a conversation or text by providing context or background information, excessive or unnecessary digressions can lead to confusion or the loss of the main thread of the discussion. "Digress" underscores the idea of temporarily deviating from the main point, occasionally returning to it or continuing in a different direction.

Example sentences containing digress

1. If I digress, please bring me back to the topic.
2. Teachers should try not to digress too often during lectures.
3. Sometimes it's interesting when speakers digress into personal stories.
4. When we digress, we might miss out on covering essential information.
5. It's common for politicians to digress when faced with difficult questions.
6. My thoughts tend to digress when I'm feeling unfocused.

History and etymology of digress

The verb 'digress' originates from the Latin word 'digredi,' which is a combination of 'dis,' meaning 'apart,' and 'gradi,' meaning 'to step.' This etymology reflects the concept of stepping or moving apart from the main path or subject, which is precisely what 'digress' entails. When someone digresses, they diverge from the central topic or theme of a conversation or discourse, often veering into unrelated or tangential matters. This departure from the main point is akin to taking a step aside, and the word's historical roots in Latin capture this idea of straying from the intended path of communication.

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Further usage examples of digress

1. Professors who digress during lectures can make the content more relatable.
2. As you digress, you are weaving a rich tapestry of ideas.
3. We can digress from the script if it helps to clarify points.
4. Authors sometimes digress in their writing to add depth to characters.
5. I often digress when talking about my travels, as there’s so much to share.
6. If you digress in a speech, ensure that it adds value to the audience.
7. Sometimes it's better not to digress, and stay concise and to the point.
8. When I digress during meetings, my colleagues usually get frustrated.
9. If we digress too much, we risk losing our audience's attention.
10. My grandmother loves to digress into stories from her past when we chat.
11. It's tempting to digress when a topic reminds you of an interesting anecdote.
12. When scientists give presentations, they should be careful not to digress too much from the data.
13. It's good to allow yourself to digress creatively when brainstorming ideas.
14. When you digress, it's important to find your way back to the main topic eventually.