noun
disorientation
dihs-aw-reern-TAY-shuhn
Disorientation (noun) means a loss of one's sense of direction or awareness of surroundings. Example: “She felt a wave of disorientation after stepping off the spinning ride.”
noun
1
A loss of one's sense of direction or awareness of surroundings.
"She felt a wave of disorientation after stepping off the spinning ride."
2
A state of confusion about time, place, or identity.
"For the first time since arriving in Nigeria, she felt a gaping disorientation; for a split second she couldnʼt even remember where she was."
— Helen Oyeyemi, The Icarus Girl (2005)
"The medication can sometimes cause temporary disorientation in elderly patients."
How to use disorientation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe feeling of being lost or confused about where you are, what time it is, or what's happening.
Common pairings
bout of disorientation
cause disorientation
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Word forms
- Plural
- disorientations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She felt a wave of _____ after stepping off the spinning ride.
Etymology
From dis- + orientation, or from disorientate plus -ion.
Synonyms
View more →
freak out
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for disorientation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for disorientation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “disorientation” mean?
The word “disorientation” means a loss of one's sense of direction or awareness of surroundings. In plain terms, the feeling of being lost or confused about where you are, what time it is, or what's happening.
How do you pronounce “disorientation”?
“Disorientation” is pronounced dihs-aw-reern-TAY-shuhn (/dɪsˌɔ.ɹi.ɪnˈteɪ.ʃn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “disorientation” in a sentence?
Here is “disorientation” used in a sentence: “She felt a wave of disorientation after stepping off the spinning ride.”
What part of speech is “disorientation”?
“Disorientation” is a noun.
How many meanings does “disorientation” have?
“Disorientation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a loss of one's sense of direction or awareness of surroundings.
