Digress Meaning
/daɪˈɡɹɛs/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo move away from the main subject in speaking or writing.
verbTo step or turn aside; to deviate; to swerve; especially, to turn aside from the main subject of attention, or course of argument, in writing or speaking.
Sentence Examples
I don't mean to digress, but this is important.
The speaker tended to digress from the main topic.
I will not digress from the main topic of discussion.
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CEFR Practice Quiz
Please do not ____ from the main topic during our brief meeting.
Word Origin & History
From Latin digressum, past participle of digredi.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Moreover she beginneth to digress in latitude."
— 1601, C[aius] Plinius Secundus [i.e., Pliny the Elder], “(please specify |book=I to XXXVII)”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Historie of the World. Commonly Called, The Naturall Historie of C. Plinius Secundus. […], (please specify |tome=1 or 2), London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC:
"In the pursuit of an argument there is hardly room to digress into a particular definition as often as a man varies the signification of any term."
— 1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], chapter 3, in An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC:
"[…] For I hadn't had so much fun since the day / my brother's dog Rover / got run over. / (Rover was killed by a Pontiac. And it was done with such grace and artistry that the witnesses awarded the driver both ears and the tail – but I digress.)"
— 1959, “In Old Mexico”, Tom Lehrer (music):
"Thy overflow of good converts to bad;
And thy abundant goodness shall excuse
This deadly blot in thy digressing son."
— 1595 December 9 (first known performance), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Richard the Second”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act 5, scene 3]:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
Please do not ____ from the main topic during our brief meeting.