What does digress mean?
To digress is to depart temporarily from the main subject of what one is saying or writing, typically before returning to the central point. A speaker might digress to share a relevant anecdote, or a writer might digress to explore a side issue that enriches the argument. The word carries a mildly formal, even slightly literary tone, and it is most at home in essays, lectures, and polished prose rather than casual chat. It rarely implies criticism: because the departure is understood to be temporary and often deliberate, digressing can signal depth, personality, or wit. The phrase "but I digress" has become a well-worn conversational device, used half-jokingly to acknowledge that one has drifted off course. Derived from Latin roots meaning "to step away," digress pairs naturally with prepositions such as "from" — as in "digress from the topic." Its related forms include digression (the act of wandering) and digressive (characterized by frequent departures).
verbTo depart temporarily from the main subject of a speech or piece of writing; to wander off topic before returning to the point.
- To depart temporarily from the main subject in speech or writing, often with the intention of returning to it later.
- (Less commonly) To turn aside or deviate from a course or path.
"Allow me to digress for a moment to tell you how I first discovered this book."
"Before I digress too far into personal anecdotes, let me return to the main argument."
"The lecturer digressed briefly to explain a historical detail that shed light on her thesis."
Every time a speaker says 'but I digress,' they're using a word that literally means 'to step away' — straight from Latin gradī, 'to walk.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of digress
Digress comes from the Latin verb digredi, formed from dis- (apart) plus gradi (to step or walk), so its literal sense is "to step away." It entered English in the early 16th century, borrowed either directly from Latin or through its derived noun digressio. It shares this walking/stepping root with a whole family of English words, including progress, regress, transgress, and egress, all of which describe different ways of moving or stepping.
Related word forms
How digress is actually used
Slightly formal or literary in register; common in speeches, essays, and academic contexts rather than casual conversation. Often used self-referentially in the fixed phrase 'but I digress' to signal awareness of having gone off-topic. Carries no strong negative connotation — it suggests a brief, usually acknowledged departure rather than aimless rambling.
Easily confused with digress
"Digress" means to stray from the main topic of discussion, while "regress" means to return to a previous or worse state.
"Egress" is a noun (or verb) referring to an exit or the act of going out, unrelated to straying from a topic.