digression

IPA/daɪˈɡreʃn/
KK[daɪɡrˈɛʃən]IPA/daɪˈɡreʃn/

digression — noun

  • digressionsingular
  • digressionsplural

1. a part of a talk or piece of writing where someone leaves the main point for a w

1.nounC1
Definition

a part of a talk or piece of writing where someone leaves the main point for a while and turns to another topic.

Example

During the history lecture, Esme made a quick digression about her grandfather's diary.

collocation: make a digression

Talia's funny digression about train delays made the meeting run late.

Common collocations
  • brief digression
  • long digression
  • make a digression
  • return from a digression
Synonyms
  • aside

    often shorter and lighter in tone, especially in speech or drama

  • tangent

    more informal and often used when someone wanders too far from the main point

  • detour

    can be literal or figurative; less specifically tied to speaking or writing

Usage Note

Usually refers to a temporary side topic inside a larger talk, lecture, essay, or story. It often suggests that the speaker or writer will return to the main point afterward.

Common Mistakes

The teacher digression lasted ten minutes.
The teacher's digression lasted ten minutes.
'digression' is a noun, so it needs a determiner or possessive form.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Digression' is the most neutral formal word for leaving the main subject for a short time in speech or writing. An 'aside' is usually briefer and can feel lighter or more personal, especially when a speaker adds a quick comment to the audience. A 'tangent' is more informal and often suggests that someone has wandered farther than they should. A 'detour' can describe a similar change of direction, but it is broader and is also common for physical routes. In an essay, a writer may include a thoughtful digression. In a casual meeting, someone may go off on a tangent. A tour guide might add a quick aside before returning to the main story.

digression ↗aside ↗tangent ↗detour ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • go off on a digression
  • make a digression
  • return from a digression

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

This word comes from Latin 'digressio', meaning a stepping away or turning aside. It is related to the Latin verb 'digredi', which combines the idea of moving apart with the verb 'to step'. English kept that image of stepping away from the path, and the modern meaning now usually refers to stepping away from the main subject in speaking or writing.