distract

[dih-strakt]

verb (used with object)

1. to draw away or divert, as the mind or attention.

   The music distracted him from his work.

2. to disturb or trouble greatly in mind; beset.

   Grief distracted him.

   Synonyms: distress, torment, pain, agitate, bewilder

3. to provide a pleasant diversion for; amuse; entertain.

   I'm bored with bridge, but golf still distracts me.

4. to separate or divide by dissension or strife.

adjective

1. Obsolete.,  distracted.

distract

/ dɪˈstrækt /

verb

1. (often passive) to draw the attention of (a person) away from something

2. to divide or confuse the attention of (a person)

3. to amuse or entertain

4. to trouble greatly

5. to make mad

Other Word Forms

• distractible adjective
• distractingly adverb
• nondistracting adjective
• nondistractingly adverb
• undistracting adjective
• undistractingly adverb
• distractively adverb
• distracting adjective
• distractibility noun
• distractive adjective
• distracter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of distract¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin distractus “drawn apart,” past participle of distrahere “to draw apart,” from dis- dis- ¹ + trahere “to draw”

Word History and Origins

Origin of distract¹

C14: from Latin distractus perplexed, from distrahere to pull in different directions, from _dis- ¹ + trahere to drag

Example Sentences

With no family to distract him, he dedicated his life to expanding his empire.

From BBC

After Monday’s win over Bay FC, Angel City coach Alexander Straus said the uncertainty over Thompson’s future with the team has been distracting.

From Los Angeles Times

As Dorothy pleads for the Wizard not to fly away without her, we’re distracted by hundreds of waving extras who visibly don’t give a hoot what happens to the girl.

From Los Angeles Times

Officers became distracted when a second man approached the vehicle.

From Los Angeles Times

"This chaotic reshuffle shows a Downing Street in crisis – totally distracted from fixing the damage they've done to the economy, jobs and small businesses," he added.

From BBC

Related Words

• amuse 
• bewilder 
• detract 
• disturb 
• divert 
• entertain 
• fluster 
• mislead 
• perplex 
• puzzle 
• trouble