Meaning
Detour means a longer or different route taken to avoid something or to reach a destination indirectly. It can also mean a temporary deviation from a normal path or plan.
- As a noun: a route that is different from the usual one, often because of a blockage or roadwork.
- As a verb: to take a longer or alternate way around something.
Grammar and Usage
- Part of speech: noun / verb
- Noun structure: take/make a detour, on a detour
- Verb structure: detour around/through/to (place)
Examples of structures:
- We took a detour through the countryside.
- The driver detoured around the flooded area.
Common Phrases
- make a detour – to take an alternate route
- take a detour – to go by a longer way
- on a detour – currently traveling on a different route
- detour sign – a sign indicating a temporary route
- detour ahead – warning that the normal route is blocked
Collocations
- take/make a detour
- long/short detour
- unexpected detour
- detour route/path
- detour sign/road
Examples
- We had to take a detour because the main road was closed.
- The bus made a detour through the old part of town.
- They enjoyed the scenic detour by the lake.
- Due to construction, all traffic was detoured to the west.
- His career took an interesting detour into teaching before returning to engineering.
- The driver ignored the detour signs and got stuck in traffic.
- We took a small detour to visit a local bakery.
- The detour added an extra 30 minutes to our journey.
Synonyms or Related
- bypass
- diversion
- alternative route
- side trip
- deviation
Antonym
- direct route
- straight path
- shortcut