divagate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "divagate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of wandering or straying from a topic or path in conversation or writing. Example: "During the meeting, he began to divagate from the main agenda, discussing unrelated topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Herd 're-socialization': this is especially for the goats in mountainous areas or in valleys with dense vegetation cover where they divagate unattended, and must be taken toward elevated plateau areas with sparse vegetation where they can be controlled, and thus prevented from lapsing into a feral state.   5.

Pastoralism

My own experiences with Buddhism, both Zen and Tibetan, divagate from Burkett's.

Huffington Post

A non-inferiority study design was chosen based on the existing literature that both iron treatments could be equally efficacious, whereas they divagate regarding dosing limitation, administration (duration and frequency), and safety and tolerability profile.

American Journal of Gastroenterology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Feinstein divagates in the engaging, informal tone of post-show chitchat, often repeating himself as he skitters from topic to topic, and couching his thoughts in the nebulous stock phrases of show-business conversation.

The New York Times - Books

For a set scheduled to start at 10, the singer, who had spent much of the day divagating about what to wear onstage, appeared around midnight.

The New York Times

The thick black felt-tip line divagated across the pictorial space yet always arrived at precisely the right place, nailing to a fixed point one or other of life's great issues: sex and death, right or wrong.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic or formal writing, ensure that when using "divagate", the context clearly indicates an unintentional or wandering departure from the main topic.

Common error

Avoid using "divagate" when a more assertive term like "contradict" or "refute" is more appropriate. "Divagate" implies a wandering, while stronger terms suggest direct opposition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "divagate" is as an intransitive verb, indicating an action performed by a subject that does not act upon a direct object. Ludwig shows it describes the act of straying or wandering from a topic or course.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "divagate" is a verb that means to stray or wander from a subject or course. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a relatively uncommon word, primarily found in more formal contexts such as science and news media. When writing, consider whether a more common synonym like "digress" or "stray" might be more appropriate for your audience. Though "divagate" is valid, its infrequent use means careful consideration of context is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

digress

A more formal synonym for deviating from the central subject.

deviate from the subject

Implies a deliberate shift away from the original topic.

depart from the matter at hand

Formally indicates a move away from the current subject of discussion.

stray from the point

Emphasizes a departure from the main topic, often unintentionally.

go off on a tangent

Suggests a sudden and often unrelated departure from the main topic.

get sidetracked

Suggests being distracted and led away from the original topic.

wander off-topic

Highlights a meandering or unfocused approach to a discussion.

veer off course

Implies a change in direction, moving away from the intended path of discussion.

ramble

Indicates a lengthy and unstructured deviation from the main subject.

meander

Conveys a gentle and indirect movement away from the central theme.

FAQs

What does "divagate" mean?

"Divagate" means to stray or wander from a subject or course, often unintentionally, similar to "digress".

How can I use "divagate" in a sentence?

You can use "divagate" in sentences like: "The speaker began to "divagate" from the main topic, discussing unrelated anecdotes."

What's a simpler word for "divagate"?

Simpler alternatives to "divagate" include "stray", "wander", or "digress", depending on the context.

Is it common to use "divagate" in everyday conversation?

No, "divagate" is not commonly used in everyday conversation. It's more appropriate for formal writing or specialized contexts. You could also use "go off on a tangent" in a more informal context.