Divet vs. Divot — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 18, 2023
"Divet" is an archaic spelling of "divot," which refers to a small piece of turf or soil removed from the ground, often from a golf course. The two terms share the same meaning.
Difference Between Divet and Divot
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Key Differences
Divot is a term generally utilized in golf and refers to a piece of turf or soil that gets dug out when a golfer swings their club at the golf ball. Divet, an archaic version of this term, shares the same definition.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
In aviation, the term Divet is used to describe a slight descent or dip in the aircraft's flight path. Divot doesn't typically carry this meaning, but the term can be employed if necessary because of the commonality in their meanings.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
The use of these terms varies, creating a subtle difference in usage. While Divot is widely used today, especially in golf, Divet has fallen out of use over time. Its occasional usage in aviation doesn't completely overlap with the more popular uses of Divot.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Divet became less popular as English evolved, with Divot becoming the preferred term. Both terms, essentially, mean a small indentation or depression in a surface. The circumstances in which they are applied are what differentiate the two.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Despite the variations in usage, the core meaning of both Divot and Divet remains the same. They both reference small indentations in a surface, whether that be on a golf course or an aircraft's flight path. Yet, the predominance of Divot in contemporary English marks it as the more recognized term.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Refers to a small indentation or depression in a surface. In aviation, it specifically refers to a shallow descent or dip in an aircraft's flight path. In golf, it refers to the small hole or indentation made on the ground when a golf ball impacts the surface.
Refers to a piece of turf cut out of the ground by a golf club in making a stroke, or a hole left by such a stroke.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Use in context
"The plane experienced a slight divet in its flight path." or "He hit the ball so hard that it created a divet in the green."
"He replaced the divot after his swing." or "The golfer's swing left a sizable divot in the green."
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Modern Usage
Divet is an archaic term and is less commonly used in modern English.
Divot is the term more commonly used in modern English, especially in the context of golf.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Historical Origin
It is the older or archaic form of divot.
It has evolved from the term 'dyfa'.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
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Definitions
Divot
A piece of turf torn up by a golf club in striking a ball, or by a horse's hoof.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 26, 2018
Divot
A piece of turf cut out of the ground by a golf club in making a stroke.
As he swung his club, it cut a neat divot out of the pristine golf course.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Divet
A piece of turf cut out of the ground by a golf club in making a stroke.
He took a large divet out of the fairway with his seven iron.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Divot
In Scotland, a piece of peat that is cut from the earth and used for fuel.
As the winter approached, they gathered divots for their fires.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Divet
A small dent or depression in any surface.
She sat on the bench, tracing the tiny divet with her finger.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Divet
A minor descent or dip in an aircraft's flight path.
The passengers barely noticed the divet in the flight path due to the pilot's smooth handling.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Divot
A torn-up piece of turf, especially by a golf club in making a stroke or by a horse's hoof.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 26, 2018
Divet
A natural depression in the earth's surface.
We had to skirt around a divet in the landscape during our hike.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Divet
A defect or pit in a material's surface.
The divet in the marble countertop would need to be repaired before it could be installed.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Divot
(golf) The cavity left when a piece of turf is cut from the ground by the club head in making a stroke.
It was a good drive but the ball ended up in a divot.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 26, 2018
Divot
A hole in the ground left by a divot or caused by impact.
He tripped over a small divot on the otherwise smooth trail.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Divot
A tool used to repair the grass on a golf course.
The groundskeeper pulled out his divot to repair the turf where the golfer had swung.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Divot
A clod or lump of dirt.
The child picked up a divot and threw it into the pond.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Divot
To tear up pieces of turf from, especially with a golf club in making a stroke.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 26, 2018
Divot
A small piece of turf gouged out of the ground by the head of a golf club when making a stroke.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 26, 2018
Divot
A piece of turf dug out of a lawn or fairway (by an animals hooves or a golf club)
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 26, 2018
Divot
In golf, a small piece of synthetic material used to replace a chunk of turf taken out by a golf club.
After he made his stroke, he used a rubber divot to fix the spot.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
Divot
A small indentation or dent in any surface.
He ran his fingers over the divot in the wooden table.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jul 20, 2023
FAQs
What is the definition of "divot"?
A divot refers to a piece of turf or a section of grass that has been cut out, torn up, or removed, especially in sports like golf when the clubhead takes a chunk of turf as the ball is struck.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 18, 2023
Is there any difference between "divet" and "divot"?
The main difference is that "divet" is often considered a misspelling or mispronunciation of the word "divot," which is the standard and correct term in the English language.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 18, 2023
In which context is "divot" most commonly used?
"Divot" is most commonly used in the context of golf to describe the chunk of grass or turf that is sometimes removed when a golfer swings their club and strikes the ground.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 18, 2023
How do you pronounce "divot"?
"Divot" is pronounced as "DIV-uht," with the emphasis on the first syllable.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 18, 2023
Is "divet" a word in the English language?
While "divet" is sometimes mistakenly used, the correct spelling for the word referring to a chunk of turf or soil removed from the ground, especially on a golf course, is "divot."
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 18, 2023
In which other sports, apart from golf, might you hear the term "divot"?
Apart from golf, the term "divot" can be occasionally used in sports like soccer or rugby to describe patches of turf that get torn up during play.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 18, 2023
Can "divot" refer to anything other than a piece of turf?
Yes, while "divot" primarily refers to a piece of turf, it can metaphorically refer to any dent, depression, or gouge in a surface, especially one made by impact.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 18, 2023
How should one avoid the confusion between "divet" and "divot"?
Remembering that "divot" is the correct spelling and is similar to other English words like "pivot" can be helpful. There is no "e" in either word.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 18, 2023
How does one repair a divot on a golf course?
To repair a divot on a golf course, one typically replaces the chunk of turf or grass that was removed, ensuring it fits snugly, and then firmly presses it down. If the actual turf is lost or destroyed, golfers often use a mixture of seeds and soil provided by the course to fill in the divot.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 18, 2023
Is "divot" derived from another word?
Yes, "divot" originates from Old Norse "dǫgg," which means a "sod" or "turf." The transformation of the term over time led to the English word "divot."
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 18, 2023
Author Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
