distracting — preventing concentration or taking attention away from something
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: preventing concentration or taking attention away from something
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈstræktɪŋ/
Example Sentences
- My cat walking across the keyboard during video calls is quite distracting.
- The colorful advertisements on the website were distracting from the main content.
- He wore sunglasses indoors to avoid distracting his colleagues with his black eye.
distracting
ADJECTIVE[/dɪˈstræktɪŋ/]
preventing concentration or taking attention away from something
The loud music was distracting the driver and making it difficult for him to focus on the road.
The sudden announcement was distracting the student and pulling her attention away from the difficult math problem.
Bright lights attracted the crowd, loud music was distracting them, and the theater curtains contracted as the show began.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin 'tractus', meaning 'to draw' or 'to pull'. The prefix 'dis-' (meaning 'away' or 'apart') combines with this root to create 'distractus', literally 'to pull in different directions', evolving to mean diverting attention or drawing one's focus away from the primary matter.
Breakdown
dis- (away, apart) + tract (Latin trahere, to draw/pull) + -ing (present participle suffix forming gerund or adjective). The combination literally means 'pulling away' or 'drawing apart'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat walking across the keyboard during video calls is quite distracting.”
“The colorful advertisements on the website were distracting from the main content.”
“He wore sunglasses indoors to avoid distracting his colleagues with his black eye.”
“The distracting background music made it difficult to focus on the presentation.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.