What does digressing mean?
Digressing is the act of moving away from the main subject of a discussion, whether briefly or at length. It is the present participle and gerund of the verb digress, which comes from Latin roots meaning to step aside or turn away from one's course. In practice, digressing describes what speakers and writers do when they wander off topic — pausing mid-argument to tell an anecdote, chase a tangent, or explore a side detail before (ideally) returning to the point. The word carries a mild, conversational connotation: it can suggest charming spontaneity or a lack of focus, depending on context. Speakers often acknowledge it explicitly, as in 'but I'm digressing.' Related forms include digression (the noun) and digressive (the adjective).
verb (present participle of digress)Digressing means departing temporarily from the main subject in speech or writing, or straying from a central topic or course.
- (of speech or writing) to depart temporarily from the main subject and discuss something incidental
- (rare, literal) to stray or turn aside from a path or course
"The lecturer kept digressing into anecdotes, and the audience never quite returned to the main argument."
"Before I start digressing further, let me return to the point at hand."
"Her memoir is charming precisely because she keeps digressing into family stories."
When you apologize for 'digressing,' you're literally saying you've stepped aside — the Latin gradus (step) is hiding in plain sight.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of digressing
Digressing derives from the Latin verb digredi, formed from di- ('apart') and gradi ('to step, walk'), so its literal sense is 'to step aside.' English adopted digress via Latin and Old French around the early 17th century, initially with both figurative and literal meanings of turning from a course. The figurative sense — leaving the main topic of discourse — quickly became dominant and remains standard today. It shares its root with other Latinate movement words such as progress, regress, and transgress.
Related word forms
How digressing is actually used
Digressing is neutral to slightly informal in tone and often appears with an apology ('forgive me for digressing'). It is used chiefly about discourse — speeches, lectures, essays, conversations — rather than physical movement.
Easily confused with digressing
Depressing means causing sadness or low spirits, while digressing means wandering away from a main topic; the words share similar spelling but nothing else.