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Preoccupy: meaning, definitions and examples

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preoccupy

 

[ ˌpriːˈɒkjʊpaɪ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

mental state

To preoccupy means to absorb or engross the mind completely, often leaving no attention for anything else. It can also refer to being obsessed or consumed by a particular thought, feeling, or activity.

Synonyms

absorb, consume, engross, obsess

Examples of usage

  • He was preoccupied with thoughts of the upcoming exam.
  • She preoccupied herself with painting to distract from her worries.
  • The news of the accident preoccupied him for days.
Context #2 | Verb

take up time

To preoccupy can also mean to fill up or occupy time, leaving little room for other activities or thoughts.

Synonyms

consume, occupy, take up

Examples of usage

  • Her new project preoccupied her for the entire weekend.
  • The constant meetings preoccupied his schedule.

Translations

Translations of the word "preoccupy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 preocupar

🇮🇳 चिंतित करना

🇩🇪 beschäftigen

🇮🇩 mengkhawatirkan

🇺🇦 занепокоїти

🇵🇱 zajmować

🇯🇵 心配させる

🇫🇷 préoccuper

🇪🇸 preocupar

🇹🇷 endişelendirmek

🇰🇷 걱정하게 하다

🇸🇦 يشغل

🇨🇿 znepokojovat

🇸🇰 znepokojovať

🇨🇳 使担忧

🇸🇮 zaskrbeti

🇮🇸 valda áhyggjum

🇰🇿 алаңдату

🇬🇪 შეშფოთება

🇦🇿 narahat etmək

🇲🇽 preocupar

Etymology

The word 'preoccupy' originated from the Latin word 'praeoccupare', which means to seize or capture beforehand. It entered the English language in the late 16th century. The concept of preoccupying the mind has been explored in various psychological and philosophical contexts, highlighting the human tendency to become deeply absorbed in thoughts, emotions, or tasks.

See also: occupancy, occupation, occupations, occupied, occupying, preoccupied, underoccupancy, unoccupied.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,995 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.