Digression Meaning
/dʌɪˈɡɹɛʃən/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn aside, an act of straying from the main subject in speech or writing.
nounThe act of straying from the main subject in speech or writing, (rhetoric) particularly for rhetorical effect.
Sentence Examples
The digression is escalating more and more.
This is a lyrical digression.
CEFR Practice Quiz
That long ____ about fishing bored the entire committee during lunch.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ is escalating more and more.
Word Origin & History
From Old French digressiun or disgressiun, from Latin dīgressiōnem, from dīgressus + -iō (suffix forming abstract nouns from verbs), the past passive participle of dīgredior (“to step away, to digress”), from dis- + gradior (“to step, walk, go”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"History tells us stodgy, cautious stuff, cardigan-football is the way to go here. The 1966 World Cup kicked off with 0-0 draw against Uruguay so tedious the Guardian match report contains a whimsical digression on the writer’s urge to drift off to sleep in the second half."
— 2022 November 21, Barney Ronay, “Iran’s brave and powerful gesture is a small wonder from a World Cup of woe”, in The Guardian:
"Nature...
More stronger hadde her operacyon
Than she hath nowe in her dygressyon."
— 1517, Stephen Hawes, Pastime of Pleasure, i, ll. 12 ff:
"By this little digression into Gascony, the Duke had an opportunity... to re-inforce himself with some particular Servants of his."
— 1670, Guillaume Girard, translated by Charles Cotton, History of the Life of the Duke of Espernon, Bk. i, Ch. iv, p. 144:
"This digression [of the Sun] is not equall, but neare the Æquinoxiall intersections, it is right and greater, near the Solstices, more oblique and lesser."
— 1646, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, Bk. VI, Ch. iv, p. 288:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
That long ____ about fishing bored the entire committee during lunch.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ is escalating more and more.