English Reference
adjective

divided

adj.
US /dɪˈvaɪdɪd/ UK /dɪvˈaɪdɪd/ di·vid·ed

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    separated into two or more parts or pieces.

    separated or partitioned into distinct sections or components.

    Simple

    The large pizza was already divided into eight equal slices.

    In context

    The garden was divided into several distinct zones, each featuring a different variety of native flora to encourage local biodiversity.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    used to describe a group of people who have different opinions and cannot agree.

    characterised by conflicting opinions, interests, or loyalties among members of a group.

    Simple

    The committee was divided on whether to spend the money now or wait.

    In context

    Public opinion remained sharply divided regarding the new tax legislation, with urban and rural voters expressing fundamentally different concerns.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    a road that has a barrier or grass in the middle to separate traffic going in opposite directions.

    referring to a highway or road separated into lanes for opposing traffic by a median strip.

    Simple

    Be careful when turning left onto the divided highway.

    In context

    The project involves converting the existing two-lane route into a divided four-lane expressway to improve safety and reduce congestion.

    dual carriageway

Etymology 1

From divide.

Etymology 2

From Middle English divided, devided, devidid, past participle of Middle English dividen (“to divide”), equivalent to divide + -ed.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Common
Updated