First Known Use: 1738
Dictionary
1detour
noun de·tour \ˈdē-ˌtu̇r also di-ˈtu̇r\
: the act of going or traveling to a place along a way that is different from the usual or planned way
: a road, highway, etc., that you travel on when the the usual way of traveling cannot be used
Full Definition of DETOUR
: a deviation from a direct course or the usual procedure; especially : a roundabout way temporarily replacing part of a route
See detour defined for English-language learners
See detour defined for kids
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Origin of DETOUR
French détour, from Old French destor, from destorner to divert, from des- de- + torner to turn — more at turn
Related to DETOUR
- Synonyms
- deflection, departure, divergence, deviation, divagation, divergency, diversion
Rhymes with DETOUR
abjure, adjure, Adour, allure, amour, Ashur, assure, brochure, ceinture, cocksure, coiffure, conjure, contour, couture, demure, dirt-poor, endure, ensure, faubourg, for sure, Fraktur, grandeur, gravure, guipure, hachure, immure, impure, insure, inure, kultur, land-poor, langur, ligure, manure, mature, mohur, obscure, parure, perdure, procure, rondure, secure, siddur, tambour, tandoor, tenure, Uighur, unmoor, velour, velure
2detour
verb
: to go along a way that is different from and usually longer than the usual or planned way
: to make (someone or something) go in a direction that is not planned or expected
: to avoid (something) by going around it
Full Definition of DETOUR
intransitive verb
: to proceed by a detour <detour around road construction>
transitive verb
1
: to send by a circuitous route <detour traffic around an accident>
2
: to avoid by going around : bypass <detour an accident site>
See detour defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DETOUR
1836
Related to DETOUR
- Synonyms
- bypass, circumnavigate, circumvent, skirt
DETOUR Defined for Kids
1detour
noun de·tour \ˈdē-ˌtu̇r\
Definition of DETOUR for Kids
: a roundabout way that temporarily replaces part of a regular route
2detour
verb
de·touredde·tour·ing
Definition of DETOUR for Kids
: to go or make go on a different route than usual <All cars were detoured.>
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