# deflect

> English word · Verb · IPA /dɪˈflɛkt/ · frequency rank #23,233

## Definitions
1. To make (something) deviate from its original path or position.
2. To touch the ball, often unwittingly, after a shot or a sharp pass, thereby making it unpredictable for the other players.
3. To deviate from an original path or position.
4. To avoid addressing (questions, criticism, etc.).
5. To divert (attention, etc.).
6. To redirect culpability to avoid it.

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

## Easily confused with
- **detect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deflect-vs-detect)
- **dialect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deflect-vs-dialect)
- **defunct** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deflect-vs-defunct)
- **defeat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defeat-vs-deflect)
- **defect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-deflect)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ddeflect`, `defelct`, `defflect`, `deflcet`, `deflecct`, `deflectt`, `defletc`, `defllect`, `delfect`, `dfelect`, `edflect`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/deflect