Preoccupied: meaning, definitions and examples

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preoccupied

[priˈɒkjʊpaɪd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

mind

Preoccupied means busy or engrossed in thought, distracted by something else.

Synonyms

absorbed, distracted, engaged.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
preoccupied	This word is used when someone is so involved in their thoughts or something else that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She was too preoccupied with her own problems to notice the change in his mood He seemed preoccupied during the meeting and didn't contribute much
distracted	This word is used when someone is unable to concentrate because their attention is being pulled in different directions. She was easily distracted by the noise outside He felt distracted during his exam because of personal issues he was dealing with
absorbed	This term is used when someone is deeply focused or immersed in an activity to the extent that they lose awareness of their surroundings. He was so absorbed in his book that he didn't hear me calling him They were absorbed in their games and didn't notice how late it had gotten
engaged	This term is used when someone is fully involved and interested in an activity or conversation. The children were fully engaged in the interactive lesson He was engaged in a deep conversation with his friend

Examples of usage

She seemed preoccupied with her own thoughts during the meeting.
He was preoccupied with his upcoming exams and couldn't focus on anything else.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

time

Preoccupied means already taken or filled up, not available.

Synonyms

booked, occupied, unavailable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
preoccupied	When someone is deeply absorbed in their thoughts or distracted by a specific concern and may not respond to external stimuli. She was so preoccupied with her project that she forgot to eat lunch
occupied	When a place, seat, or position is being taken up by someone or something, often implying it is currently in use. The restroom is occupied, you'll have to wait
booked	When something, such as a venue or service, has been reserved in advance and is not available for others. The hotel was fully booked during the holiday season
unavailable	When a person, service, or item cannot be reached, obtained, or is not ready for use at a given moment. The manager is currently unavailable for a meeting

Examples of usage

Sorry, the meeting room is preoccupied at that time.
Her schedule is preoccupied with back-to-back appointments today.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from 'pre-' meaning 'before' and 'occupy' which means 'to take up space or time'.
It dates back to the early 19th century, showing how it emerged alongside new ideas about human attention.
It implies a sense of being mentally filled with something, preventing engagement with the surrounding world.

Psychology

Being preoccupied can lead to forgetting small tasks, like misplacing keys or missing a friend's greeting.
This state of mind is often related to stress, where thoughts are consumed by worries or planning.
It can be a natural defense mechanism where we focus on a problem to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Pop Culture

Many songs explore themes of being preoccupied, often reflecting love, loss, or personal struggles that distract us.
Movies often depict characters who are preoccupied, signaling their internal conflicts to audiences in relatable ways.
The phenomenon of being constantly preoccupied is a common theme in contemporary literature, emphasizing modern life's distractions.

Literature

Authors often use preoccupied characters to depict struggles with inner thoughts or emotional turmoil, adding depth to their stories.
Classic literature frequently illustrates how preoccupation can lead characters into misadventures, creating tension and conflict.
In poetry, being preoccupied can serve as a metaphor for unfulfilled desires or dreams, highlighting the human experience.

Science

Research suggests that being preoccupied can diminish cognitive function and increase mistakes in tasks requiring attention.
Studies show that mindfulness techniques can help individuals reduce preoccupation and improve focus on the present moment.
Psychologists note that preoccupied people may experience burnout faster, as their minds are overloaded with thoughts and stress.

Translations

Translations of the word "preoccupied" in other languages:

🇵🇹 preocupado

🇮🇳 चिंतित

🇩🇪 besorgt

🇮🇩 khawatir

🇺🇦 заклопотаний

🇵🇱 zaniepokojony

🇯🇵 心配している

🇫🇷 préoccupé

🇪🇸 preocupado

🇹🇷 endişeli

🇰🇷 걱정하는

🇸🇦 قلق

🇨🇿 znepokojený

🇸🇰 znepokojený

🇨🇳 担心的

🇸🇮 zaskrbljen

🇮🇸 áhyggjufullur

🇰🇿 алаңдаулы

🇬🇪 შეშფოთებული

🇦🇿 narahat

🇲🇽 preocupado

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,639, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11636 aesthetics
11637 finishes
11638 fancied
11639 preoccupied
11640 alienated
11641 selectivity
11642 benchmark
...