adjective
Common
distracted
dih-STRAK-tihd
Distracted (adjective) means Unable to concentrate because attention is pulled elsewhere. Example: “He seemed distracted all through dinner, checking his phone.”
adjective
1
Unable to concentrate because attention is pulled elsewhere.
"He seemed distracted all through dinner, checking his phone."
"A distracted driver is far more likely to miss a red light."
"I was so distracted by the noise outside that I read the same line three times."
How to use distracted
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot fully paying attention because something else has grabbed your focus.
Common pairings
distracted driving
looked distracted
easily distracted
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more distracted
- Superlative
- most distracted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He seemed _____ all through dinner, checking his phone.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for distracted
See all rhymes for distracted →Frequently asked questions
What does “distracted” mean?
The word “distracted” means unable to concentrate because attention is pulled elsewhere. In plain terms, not fully paying attention because something else has grabbed your focus.
How do you pronounce “distracted”?
“Distracted” is pronounced dih-STRAK-tihd (/dɪˈstɹæk.tɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “distracted” in a sentence?
Here is “distracted” used in a sentence: “He seemed distracted all through dinner, checking his phone.”
What part of speech is “distracted”?
“Distracted” is an adjective.
Is “distracted” a common word?
“Distracted” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between distracted and distraught?
Distracted means unable to concentrate because your attention is pulled elsewhere. Distraught means extremely upset or agitated; although the two words look similar, distraught describes strong emotional distress rather than a loss of focus.
What is the difference between distracted and absent-minded?
Distracted usually describes a temporary state caused by something pulling your attention away at that moment. Absent-minded describes a more habitual tendency to forget things or fail to pay attention.
What is the difference between distracted and preoccupied?
Both describe divided attention. Distracted suggests your focus is pulled away by an external thing, while preoccupied suggests being absorbed in your own thoughts or worries.
What prepositions are used with distracted?
You are usually 'distracted by' whatever pulls your attention away, as in 'distracted by the noise.' You can also be 'distracted from' a task, meaning drawn away from what you should be doing.
