Detour in English
- detour⇄detour, noun, verb.
- detour⇄noun 1. a road that is used when the main or direct road cannot be traveled.
Ex. The route you suggest is full of detours.
2. (Figurative.) a roundabout way.
Ex. He took several detours before getting the right answer. A detour in read - detour⇄v.i. to use a detour.
Ex. We detoured around the bridge that had been washed out. - detour⇄v.t. to cause to use a detour.
Ex. The police detoured all traffic on Broadway to keep it open for the parade.
Detour in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
Detour in Hindi हिन्दी
Detour in Tamil தமிழ்
Detour
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Pronunciation
English: /ˈdiː.tʊr/ (American), /ˈde.tʊə/ (British)
Definitions
- (Noun) A longer or alternate route taken to avoid obstacles or delays.
- (Noun) A deviation from a direct course or usual procedure.
- (Verb) To take an alternative route or divert from a planned path.
Usage Examples
- Due to road construction, we had to take a detour.
- Her career took a detour before she found her true passion.
- We detoured through the countryside to enjoy the scenic views.
Etymology
From French "détour," meaning "a turn, diversion," derived from Old French "destor" (turn aside, deviation).
Synonyms
- Bypass
- Deviation
- Alternate route
- Side trip
Antonyms
- Direct route
- Shortcut
- Straight path
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | desvío | /desˈβi.o/ |
| French | détour | /de.tuʁ/ |
| German | Umweg | /ˈʊm.veːk/ |
| Hindi | विकल्प मार्ग (Vikalp Marg) | /ʋɪkəlp maːrg/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 绕道 (Rào dào) | /ʐɑʊ̯ tɑʊ̯/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In North America, "detour" is often pronounced as /ˈdiː.tʊr/, while in the UK, it is pronounced as /ˈde.tʊə/ with a softer ending.
Historical Usage
The term "detour" has been used in English since the early 18th century, borrowed from French to describe alternative travel routes.
Cultural Nuances
In some cultures, detours symbolize life changes, obstacles, or alternate pathways to success.
More Information
Detours are commonly used in transportation planning to reroute traffic during road maintenance. The concept of "taking a detour" is also used metaphorically in literature and speech to describe unexpected changes in life’s journey.