Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

deflect

/dɪˈflɛkt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.17 in modern English

Syllables: de-flect
IPA: /dɪˈflɛkt/

13

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To make (something) deviate from its original path or position.

Transitive verb

verb

To touch the ball, often unwittingly, after a shot or a sharp pass, thereby making it unpredictable for the other players.

Transitive verb

verb

To deviate from an original path or position.

Intransitive verb

verb

To avoid addressing (questions, criticism, etc.).

Transitive verb

verb

To divert (attention, etc.).

Transitive verb

verb

To redirect culpability to avoid it.

Example Sentences

"The defender deflected the cross into his own net."
"The Prime Minister deflected some increasingly pointed questions by claiming he had an appointment."
"Certainly there was much in the relationship itself that, with so much energy deflected into logistic maneuvering was never […] "worked out.""
"Critics suggest that Fernández, an unashamed populist and nationalist, is seeking to deflect attention from social disharmony at home."

Etymology

From Latin deflecto, from de- (“away”) + flecto (“to bend”).

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: deflecto

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /dɪˈflɛkt/

Usage

Inflected Forms

deflects (present, singular) deflecting (participle, present) deflected (participle, past) deflected (past)

Derived Forms

deflectable deflective deflectometer deflectometry deflector redeflect

Frequently Paired Words

deflection

Synonyms

elude parry block distract bend turn away debar forefend forfend obviate avert head off

Rhymes With

perfect respect effect expect subject protect direct self-respect correct affect checked suspect

Questions

How do you pronounce deflect?: The recorded pronunciation is /dɪˈflɛkt/.
What does deflect mean?: To make (something) deviate from its original path or position.
Where does deflect come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce deflect

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “deflect”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/dɪˈflɛkt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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