Disorientation: meaning, definitions and examples

🌀
Add to dictionary

disorientation

 

[ ˌdɪsˌɔːriənˈteɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

feeling

Disorientation is a state of confusion and lack of awareness of one's surroundings. It can be caused by various factors such as illness, stress, or disorientation.

Synonyms

bewilderment, confusion, perplexity

Examples of usage

  • I experienced disorientation after waking up from a nap in a different room.
  • The disorientation caused by the loud noise made it difficult to concentrate.
Context #2 | Noun

navigation

Disorientation can also refer to the loss of direction or sense of position, especially in unfamiliar surroundings.

Synonyms

bewilderment, confusion, loss of direction

Examples of usage

  • The fog created disorientation for the hikers, making it hard to find their way back.
  • Pilots are trained to deal with disorientation in low visibility conditions.

Translations

Translations of the word "disorientation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desorientação

🇮🇳 भ्रम

🇩🇪 Desorientierung

🇮🇩 disorientasi

🇺🇦 дезорієнтація

🇵🇱 dezorientacja

🇯🇵 方向感覚の喪失

🇫🇷 désorientation

🇪🇸 desorientación

🇹🇷 yönünü kaybetme

🇰🇷 혼란

🇸🇦 تشوش

🇨🇿 dezorientace

🇸🇰 dezorientácia

🇨🇳 迷失方向

🇸🇮 dezorientacija

🇮🇸 áttavilla

🇰🇿 дезориентация

🇬🇪 დეზორიენტაცია

🇦🇿 dezorientasiya

🇲🇽 desorientación

Etymology

The word 'disorientation' originated from the Latin word 'disorientare', which means to turn away from the east. In the past, the east was considered the most important direction, so turning away from it symbolized confusion or loss of direction. Over time, the word evolved to encompass a broader sense of confusion and lack of awareness.

See also: disorient, disoriented, disorientedly, orient, oriental, orientation.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,507, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.