detour

de-tour · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A long or roundabout route taken to avoid something or to visit somewhere along the way.

  2. 2.

    A deviation from a direct course or the usual procedure.

  3. 3.

    To take a long or roundabout route.

Related words

Antonyms: direct route, shortcut
See also: bypass, diversion, route
Synonyms: bypass, deviation, diversion, roundabout way

Etymology

From French detour meaning "a turning away," from detourner meaning "to turn aside," from de- (aside) + tourner (to turn). First recorded in English in the mid-18th century.