distract
dih-STRAKT
Distract (verb) means to pull someone's attention away from what they should be focusing on. Example: “The noise outside distracted the students during the exam.”
verb
1
To pull someone's attention away from what they should be focusing on.
"The noise outside distracted the students during the exam."
"Don't let your phone distract you while driving."
"Please don't distract me while I'm counting these coins."
How to use distract
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo draw someone's focus away from the thing they're supposed to be doing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
distract someone from
easily distracted
distract attention
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- distracts
- Past tense
- distracted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The noise outside _____ the students during the exam.
Etymology
From Latin distractus, past participle of distrahere, "to pull apart," from dis- ("apart") and trahere ("to pull," also seen in tractor and traction).
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “distract” mean?
The word “distract” means to pull someone's attention away from what they should be focusing on. In plain terms, to draw someone's focus away from the thing they're supposed to be doing.
How do you pronounce “distract”?
“Distract” is pronounced dih-STRAKT (/dɪˈstɹækt/ in IPA).
How do you use “distract” in a sentence?
Here is “distract” used in a sentence: “The noise outside distracted the students during the exam.”
What part of speech is “distract”?
“Distract” is a verb.
Where does the word “distract” come from?
The word “distract” comes from Latin. From Latin distractus, past participle of distrahere, "to pull apart," from dis- ("apart") and trahere ("to pull," also seen in tractor and traction).
Is “distract” a common word?
“Distract” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between distract and disturb?
Distract means to pull someone's attention away from what they should be focusing on, often toward something else entirely. Disturb means to interrupt or unsettle someone, which may stop their focus without necessarily redirecting their attention elsewhere.
What preposition typically follows distract?
Distract is commonly followed by 'from,' as in 'the noise distracted him from his work,' identifying the task or focus that attention was pulled away from.
Can distract be used in a positive sense?
Yes, distract can be used positively, such as distracting a child from pain or fear with a toy or game. In these cases, pulling attention away is intentional and helpful rather than unwanted.
