verb
disturb
dih-STURB
verb
1
To interrupt someone's peace, quiet, or concentration.
"Please don't disturb her — she's working on a deadline."
2
To upset or trouble someone emotionally.
"The news of the accident disturbed the whole neighborhood."
How to Use Disturb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo interrupt, upset, or throw something off its normal calm state.
Common pairings
disturb the peace
sorry to disturb you
do not disturb
Word Forms
disturbed past tense, disturbs singular
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Please don't _____ her — she's working on a deadline.
Etymology
From Old French destorber, from Latin disturbare, "to throw into disorder" — combining dis- with turbare ("to agitate"), the same root as turbulent.