Skip to main content

divergeTo move or extend in different directions from a common point; to differ or deviate from an expected path or standard.

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: To move or extend in different directions from a common point; to differ or deviate from an expected path or standard.

Pronunciation (IPA): /daɪˈvɜːrdʒ/

Example Sentences

  • My GPS and my wife's directions always diverge - guess who I follow?
  • The river diverges into three streams in the valley.
  • Our career paths diverged after college, but we remained close friends.

diverge

VERB

[/daɪˈvɜːrdʒ/]

To move or extend in different directions from a common point; to differ or deviate from an expected path or standard.

The hikers stopped where the dirt trail diverged into a dark forest and a sunny meadow.
💡 Concept

The hikers stopped where the dirt trail diverged into a dark forest and a sunny meadow.

DI(apart) + VERGE(turn) — pulling the lever makes the straight train tracks diverge into two paths.
🧠 Mnemonic

DI(apart) + VERGE(turn) — pulling the lever makes the straight train tracks diverge into two paths.

The two marching bands perfectly merge in the square, then quickly diverge down different streets.
🎵 Rhyme

The two marching bands perfectly merge in the square, then quickly diverge down different streets.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/daɪˈvɜːrdʒ/

🌳Etymology

Prefixdi--
Rootverg

Origin

From Latin divergere, meaning 'to turn in different directions' or 'to branch apart'. The word literally described how rivers or paths split into separate routes.

Breakdown

di- (apart/in different directions) + vergere (to turn/incline) + -e (verb ending)

🎵Rhyme

surgemergepurge

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My GPS and my wife's directions always diverge - guess who I follow?

The river diverges into three streams in the valley.

Our career paths diverged after college, but we remained close friends.

The twins' personalities began to diverge as they grew older.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

separatebranchdeviatesplitfork

Antonyms

convergemerge

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.