# diverted

/daɪˈvɝtɪd/ (US) · /daɪvˈɜːtɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/diverted
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. sent a different way

verb · CEFR B2

to be sent on a different route because the main one is closed.

For teachers: to be redirected from a standard or intended course to an alternative one. Often used in the passive voice regarding traffic or resources.

- Our flight was diverted to a different airport because of the heavy fog.
- The authorities diverted all northbound traffic onto secondary roads following a significant structural failure on the main bridge.

Usage: Commonly used in the passive voice ('was diverted').

### 2. distracted

verb · CEFR B2

to have your attention taken away from what you were doing.

For teachers: to have one's attention or thoughts drawn away from a primary focus.

- She was easily diverted from her homework by the sound of the parade outside.
- The investigator refused to be diverted from the primary evidence by the witness's emotional but irrelevant testimony.

### 3. amused

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

feeling entertained or amused by something.

For teachers: experiencing amusement or entertainment. This sense is increasingly formal or literary in modern usage.

- The guests seemed diverted by the magician's clever card tricks.
- The queen appeared momentarily diverted by the courtier's wit, though her stern expression soon returned.

Teaching tip: In modern English, 'amused' is much more common; 'diverted' in this sense sounds quite old-fashioned or very formal.

## Examples

- The storm diverted the flight to another city.
- Heavy traffic diverted the delivery truck to a side road.
- The committee diverted funds from the marketing budget to cover unexpected repair costs.

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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.