# digress

/daɪˈɡɹɛs/ (US) · /daɪɡɹˈɛs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/digress
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

to move away from the main topic of a conversation or a piece of writing. You do this when you start talking about something else instead of staying on track.

For teachers: to move or cause to move away from a course, subject, or direction. Often used to describe a speaker or writer who strays from the main point of their argument.

## Examples

- The speaker began to digress and talked about his childhood.
- The lawyer was warned by the judge not to digress into personal matters during the cross-examination.
- While the author occasionally digresses into historical anecdotes, the central thesis of the book remains focused on the economic shifts of the nineteenth century.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.