Distracted: meaning, definitions and examples

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distracted

 

[dɪˈstræktɪd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

easily losing focus

Having the attention diverted, unable to concentrate or focus on a task.

Synonyms

absentminded, inattentive, preoccupied, unfocused.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
distracted

When someone is trying to concentrate but something is pulling their attention away.

  • She was distracted by the noise outside during the meeting
inattentive

Describes someone who is not giving proper attention to something they should be focusing on.

  • The teacher noticed that the students were inattentive during the lesson
preoccupied

When someone is so deeply absorbed in thoughts that they are unaware of their surroundings.

  • She was too preoccupied with her own problems to notice what was happening around her
unfocused

Refers to a lack of clarity or purpose in thought or attention.

  • He gave an unfocused speech that meandered through several unrelated topics
absentminded

Describes a person who often forgets things or doesn't pay attention because they are thinking about something else.

  • He is very absentminded; he forgot his keys again

Examples of usage

  • She was so distracted by her phone that she forgot about the meeting.
  • The students were distracted by the noise outside the classroom.
Context #2 | Verb

to draw away the attention

To prevent someone from giving full attention to something.

Synonyms

detract, disrupt, divert, interrupt.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
distracted

When someone loses focus or attention on what they are doing due to a disturbance.

  • She was distracted by the loud noise outside
  • He gets distracted easily when working
divert

When something or someone changes direction or attention to a different course or activity.

  • They decided to divert the river to prevent flooding
  • She diverted their attention from the argument by telling a joke
detract

When something diminishes the value or quality of something else.

  • The loud music can detract from the restaurant's cozy atmosphere
  • Her rude comment detracted from the overall positive experience
interrupt

When someone stops a person from speaking or continuing what they are doing.

  • Please do not interrupt me while I am speaking
  • The meeting was interrupted by a phone call
disrupt

When an activity or process is interrupted or thrown into disorder.

  • The storm disrupted the electricity supply in the area
  • The student's constant talking disrupted the class

Examples of usage

  • The loud music distracted him from his work.
  • The sudden noise distracted the audience during the performance.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Research shows that distractions can cause a significant drop in productivity, resulting in lower quality work.
  • The brain’s ability to focus is limited; multitasking can lead to increased feelings of distraction and stress.

Education

  • Students often face distractions in classrooms, which can hinder their learning experience and academic performance.
  • Creating a distraction-free environment is recommended by educators for better concentration and retention of information.

Technology

  • Smartphones and social media have been widely identified as major sources of distraction in modern society.
  • Apps designed to limit distractions are becoming popular, promoting focus and time management among users.

Cultural References

  • In literature, characters often experience distractions that reflect inner conflicts, adding depth to their development.
  • Films frequently use distracted characters to create comedic situations or to drive home themes of lost focus.

Health

  • Chronic distraction can affect mental health, leading to feelings of anxiety and decreased overall wellbeing.
  • Mindfulness practices are increasingly recommended to help individuals improve their focus and combat distractions.

Translations

Translations of the word "distracted" in other languages:

🇵🇹 distraído

🇮🇳 ध्यान भंग होना

🇩🇪 abgelenkt

🇮🇩 terganggu

🇺🇦 відволіканий

🇵🇱 rozproszony

🇯🇵 気が散った

🇫🇷 distrait

🇪🇸 distraído

🇹🇷 dikkati dağılmış

🇰🇷 산만한

🇸🇦 مشتت

🇨🇿 rozptýlený

🇸🇰 rozptýlený

🇨🇳 分心的

🇸🇮 moteno

🇮🇸 utan við sig

🇰🇿 алаңғасар

🇬🇪 გაფანტული

🇦🇿 fikri dağınıq

🇲🇽 distraído

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,252, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.