Disoriented: meaning, definitions and examples

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disoriented

 

[dɪˈsɔːrɪəntɪd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling lost

Feeling confused and unable to determine your position or direction. It can result from being in an unfamiliar place or due to a sudden change in circumstances. Disorientation may lead to feelings of anxiety and discomfort.

Synonyms

bewildered, confused, lost.

Examples of usage

  • I felt disoriented after waking up in a strange room.
  • She became disoriented in the maze of narrow streets.
  • The disoriented hiker couldn't find his way back to the trail.
  • The sudden noise left him disoriented and unsure of what had happened.
  • Being disoriented in a new city is a common experience for travelers.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'oriri', which means 'to rise', combined with the prefix 'dis-', meaning 'opposite of'.
  • Originally, it referred to someone losing their sense of direction, both physically and mentally.

Psychology

  • People can feel disoriented due to stress, fatigue, or a sudden change in environment.
  • Disorientation is often a symptom experienced by individuals with certain neurological conditions.

Education

  • Many new students may feel disoriented in a large school or college where they don’t know any of the teachers or the layout.
  • Teachers often implement orientation days to help students acclimatize and reduce feelings of being lost.

Travel

  • Explorers or travelers can become disoriented when navigating unfamiliar cities or landscapes.
  • Using maps or GPS may help reduce the feeling of disorientation during travels.

Literature

  • Disorientation is a common theme in books where characters find themselves in strange or challenging circumstances, reflecting their inner confusion.
  • Writers often use imagery of spinning or whirlwinds to evoke feelings of disorientation in their narratives.

Translations

Translations of the word "disoriented" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desorientado

🇮🇳 भ्रमित

🇩🇪 desorientiert

🇮🇩 bingung

🇺🇦 дезорієнтований

🇵🇱 zdezorientowany

🇯🇵 混乱した

🇫🇷 désorienté

🇪🇸 desorientado

🇹🇷 şaşırmış

🇰🇷 혼란스러운

🇸🇦 مرتبك

🇨🇿 dezorientovaný

🇸🇰 dezorientovaný

🇨🇳 迷失方向的

🇸🇮 zmeden

🇮🇸 ringlaður

🇰🇿 абдыраған

🇬🇪 დაბნეული

🇦🇿 çaşqın

🇲🇽 desorientado

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,265, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.