What does divertisement mean?
Divertisement is an older English variant of 'divertissement', meaning an amusement, entertainment, or pastime — something that diverts the mind agreeably from serious business. Borrowed from French, which took it from the Latin verb 'divertere' (to turn aside), it entered English during a period when French cultural terms were being adapted to native spelling conventions. In practice, the word denotes any activity that provides pleasant occupation: music, games, theatrical entertainments, or social diversions. Historically it could also refer to a light interlude within a larger performance, though that sense is now expressed only through the standard French spelling. Today 'divertisement' is rare and generally considered obsolete or nonstandard; readers encountering it are most likely seeing an antiquated text. Even in its standard form the word has a formal, somewhat literary flavour, making it useful for elegant or period writing about leisure and recreation.
nounAn amusement, entertainment, or pastime; something that diverts or pleasantly occupies the attention. The spelling 'divertisement' is an older English variant of the French-derived 'divertissement', now rare.
- An amusement or entertainment; anything that pleasantly diverts the mind.
- (Historical) A minor entertainment or interlude within a larger performance, in senses now usually written 'divertissement'.
"The evening offered a divertisement of music and dancing that lifted the guests' spirits after a long week."
"The fairground served as the chief divertisement of the provincial town."
"She regarded gossip as a harmless divertisement rather than a vice."
Pluralizes regularly; used chiefly in historical texts to refer to multiple entertainments.
"The festival offered a rich variety of divertisements for every taste."
Before English speakers settled on 'divertissement', they tried to naturalize this French import as 'divertisement' — one of many words that changed shape as they crossed the Channel.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of divertisement
Divertisement derives from the Latin verb 'divertere', meaning 'to turn aside or away', composed of 'dis-' (apart) and 'vertere' (to turn). The word passed into Old French as 'divertir' before yielding the noun 'divertissement', which English adopted in the 17th century, sometimes rendering it with the anglicized ending seen here. Cognates include 'divert' itself and, more distantly, 'diverse' and 'diversify', all built on the same root of turning different ways.
How divertisement is actually used
This spelling is archaic or nonstandard today; writers should normally use 'divertissement'. The word carries a slightly formal, literary tone even in its standard form.
Easily confused with divertisement
'Divertissement' is the standard modern spelling, borrowed from French and also used for a short ballet suite or musical interlude; 'divertisement' is an anglicized variant that is now largely obsolete.