distracted — unable to concentrate because one's mind is preoccupied with something else
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: unable to concentrate because one's mind is preoccupied with something else
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈstræktɪd/
Example Sentences
- The student was so distracted by the pizza delivery guy outside that he forgot he was taking a final exam.
- I'm sorry, I was distracted by work emails during our conversation.
- She seemed distracted and kept checking her watch every five minutes.
distracted
ADJECTIVE[/dɪˈstræktɪd/]
unable to concentrate because one's mind is preoccupied with something else
He looks distracted during the meeting, staring out the window instead of listening.
The sudden announcement left the student distracted, and she stopped focusing on the difficult math problem.
Bright lights attracted the crowd, loud music left them distracted, and the theater curtains contracted as the show began.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Latin 'distractus', the past participle of 'distrahere'. Originally meaning 'to pull in different directions', the term evolved to describe a mental state where attention is divided or drawn away from focus.
Breakdown
dis- (apart) + trahere (to pull) + -ed (past participle). The prefix 'dis-' indicates separation, while 'trahere' means to draw or pull, creating the literal sense of being pulled in multiple directions simultaneously.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The student was so distracted by the pizza delivery guy outside that he forgot he was taking a final exam.”
“I'm sorry, I was distracted by work emails during our conversation.”
“She seemed distracted and kept checking her watch every five minutes.”
“The cat was so distracted by the laser pointer that it ran straight into the glass door.”
📚Related Words
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