Make Your Point > Archived Issues > DIVERGE
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pronounce
DIVERGE:
Say it either "dye VURDGE" or "dih VURDGE."
(I say "dye VURDGE." It sounds a bit more precise, which seems appropriate for this formal word.)
To hear it, click here.
connect this word to others:
When I think of the word diverge, I immediately think of that fun book (and movie) Divergent, the one about the girl who diverges, or heads off on her own unique path, away from the rigid paths her society has established.
I also think of that famous poem by Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken," the one that ends like this:
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
As you can see from those examples, diverging is something that paths do--and something that people do, as well, as they're following real or abstract paths. To diverge is to veer off in another direction: to de___te, or turn aside and take a different (often unexpected) direction. Could you recall that close synonym of diverge?
(To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.)
definition:
The word "diverge" has Latin roots that mean "to bend apart" or "to turn apart," and that's pretty much what it means in English.
When something diverges, it splits off and goes in a different direction.
grammatical bits:
Part of speech:
Verb, the intransitive kind: "Their views diverge from ours;" "The story diverges weirdly near the end."
Other forms:
Diverged, diverging;
diverger(s);
divergent, divergently;
divergence/divergency.
how to use it:
If we need to describe how things split off from each other, becoming different, as if taking different roads or paths--and if we need a common, but formal word--then "diverge" is perfect.
Because "diverge" often pops up in scientific and mathematical contexts, it has an academic tone to it.
You might be literal and talk about physical things that diverge, like roads, rays of light, or pathways in the lungs.
Or, be figurative: talk about views, opinions, goals, interests, and even behaviors that diverge. Often we say that these things diverge from our expectations, from the standard path, from each other, etc.
examples:
"From the inside of the carriage, he directed the coachman to follow many winding and diverging streets, in the hope of misleading the spies, who were known to swarm at every corner."
— Augustus J.C. Hare, Walks in Rome, 1875
"The Yankees and the Astros are dominant American League teams... It is their pitching approaches that radically diverge into schools New and Old, and that are most fascinating."
— Michael Powell, New York Times, 16 October 2019
has this page helped you understand "diverge"?
study it:
Explain the meaning of "diverge" without saying "veer off" or "depart from."
try it out:
As this article describes, the video game Animal Crossing--which is all about cuteness, sharing, and fashion--"diverges from many mainstream video games, with their dark, often macho aesthetics and their emphasis on supremacy and combat."
With this game in mind as an example, talk about some other unique, interesting thing, person, or place that diverges from the mainstream. What makes it special? How does it diverge from the norm, from tradition, from its peers, or from expectations?
before you review, play:
Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.
Our game this month is Perfectly Cromulent Words!
In each issue this month, match a scene from The Simpsons to the term that it calls to mind.
To see the answer, scroll to the bottom of the issue.
Try this one today:
Does the scene below suggest the word derision, disillusionment, or repercussions?
review this word:
A. turn aside.
B. join together.
C. depend upon.
2. According to the New York Times, the fortunes of American shopping malls have diverged: _____.
A. where once there was heavy foot traffic, now there is an eerie silence
B. malls in wealthy areas have thrived, while those in poor areas have filed for bankruptcy
C. malls adapted in cunning ways as more and more shoppers rely on websites, not brick-and-mortar stores
a final word:
I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love.
I'm Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words.
From my blog:
36 ways to study words.
Why we forget words, & how to remember them.
How to use sophisticated words without being awkward.
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes.
The word "diverge" has Latin roots that mean "to bend apart" or "to turn apart," and that's pretty much what it means in English.
Part of speech:
If we need to describe how things split off from each other, becoming different, as if taking different roads or paths--and if we need a common, but formal word--then "diverge" is perfect.
"From the inside of the carriage, he directed the coachman to follow many winding and diverging streets, in the hope of misleading the spies, who were known to swarm at every corner."
Explain the meaning of "diverge" without saying "veer off" or "depart from."
As this article describes, the video game Animal Crossing--which is all about cuteness, sharing, and fashion--"diverges from many mainstream video games, with their dark, often macho aesthetics and their emphasis on supremacy and combat."
Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.
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