English Lexicon

Distract

/dɪˈstrækt/
verbCEFR B1 (Intermediate)Top #3450 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As verb
  1. 1

    To prevent someone from giving full attention to something.

    "The loud music distracted her from studying for the exam."
  2. 2

    To divert attention from one thing to another.

    "He tried to distract the audience with jokes during the serious presentation."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Latin distractus, past participle of distrahere, meaning 'to draw apart, pull in different directions,' combining dis- (apart) and trahere (to draw). It entered the English language in the late 16th century, initially referring to mental agitation or madness before shifting to the modern sense of diverting attention.

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