distraction
dihs-TRAK-shuhn
Distraction (noun) means something that pulls your attention away from what you should be doing. Example: “Social media is a constant distraction at work.”
noun
1
Something that pulls your attention away from what you should be doing.
"Social media is a constant distraction at work."
"He created a distraction so his friend could sneak past."
"The noisy building work outside was a big distraction while I studied."
How to use distraction
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAnything that draws focus away from the task at hand.
Common pairings
a welcome distraction
create a distraction
avoid distractions
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Word forms
- Plural
- distractions
Fill the gap
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Social media is a constant _____ at work.
Etymology
From Latin distractio, "a pulling apart," built on the same root as distract.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for distraction
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for distraction →
Frequently asked questions
What does “distraction” mean?
The word “distraction” means something that pulls your attention away from what you should be doing. In plain terms, anything that draws focus away from the task at hand.
How do you pronounce “distraction”?
“Distraction” is pronounced dihs-TRAK-shuhn (/dɪsˈtɹæk.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “distraction” in a sentence?
Here is “distraction” used in a sentence: “Social media is a constant distraction at work.”
What part of speech is “distraction”?
“Distraction” is a noun.
Where does the word “distraction” come from?
The word “distraction” comes from Latin. From Latin distractio, "a pulling apart," built on the same root as distract.
Is “distraction” a common word?
“Distraction” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between distraction and interruption?
A distraction is something that pulls your attention away from what you should be doing, often ongoing, like background noise. An interruption is a specific, usually brief event that halts an activity, such as a phone call breaking into a meeting.
What is the difference between a distraction and a diversion?
Distraction usually has a negative connotation, describing something that unhelpfully pulls focus away from an important task. Diversion can be neutral or positive, often referring to something entertaining or deliberately used to redirect attention, such as a diversion from stress.
How is distraction used with the preposition from?
Distraction is commonly paired with 'from,' as in 'a distraction from studying,' to specify the task or focus that attention has been pulled away from.
