Preoccupying Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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preoccupying

[priหหˆษ’kjสŠpaษชษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

thoughts, concerns

Preoccupying refers to something that occupies or engages one's thoughts or attention persistently. It often implies a sense of worry or concern over matters that are difficult to resolve. Frequently, preoccupying thoughts can distract individuals from their daily activities or lead to heightened anxiety. This term is commonly used to describe emotions or ideas that compete for mental space.

Synonyms

all-consuming, consuming, disturbing, obsessive.

Examples of usage

  • She has preoccupying thoughts about the future.
  • His preoccupying worries kept him awake at night.
  • I find myself preoccupied with work-related issues.
  • The preoccupying concerns of the project consumed her mind.

Translations

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Origin of 'preoccupying'

The word 'preoccupy' originates from the Latin 'praeoccupare', which means 'to seize beforehand'. The Latin term is a combination of 'prae', meaning 'before', and 'occupare', meaning 'to seize or take'. Over time, this evolved in Middle English as 'preoccupe', and by the 16th century became 'preoccupy' in English. The addition of the '-ing' suffix transforms it into 'preoccupying', implying an ongoing state of being occupied or engrossed. The semantic evolution reflects a shift from the mere act of seizing to an emotional engagement, depicting a mental state that can lead to anxiety or distraction.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,204, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.