distract

[ dih-strakt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to draw away or divert, as the mind or attention:

   The music distracted him from his work.

2. to disturb or trouble greatly in mind; beset:

   Grief distracted him.

   Synonyms: distress, torment, pain, agitate, bewilder

3. to provide a pleasant diversion for; amuse; entertain:

   I'm bored with bridge, but golf still distracts me.

4. to separate or divide by dissension or strife.

adjective

1. Obsolete. distracted.

distract

/ dɪˈstrækt /

verb

1. often passive to draw the attention of (a person) away from something
2. to divide or confuse the attention of (a person)
3. to amuse or entertain
4. to trouble greatly
5. to make mad

Derived Forms

• disˈtractingly, adverb
• disˈtractively, adverb
• disˈtracting, adjective
• disˈtractible, adjective
• disˌtractiˈbility, noun
• disˈtractive, adjective
• disˈtracter, noun

Other Words From

• dis·tracti·ble adjective
• dis·tracting·ly adverb
• nondis·tracting adjective
• nondis·tracting·ly adverb
• undis·tracting adjective
• undis·tracting·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of distract¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin distractus “drawn apart,” past participle of distrahere “to draw apart,” from dis- dis- ¹ + trahere “to draw”

Word History and Origins

Origin of distract¹

C14: from Latin distractus perplexed, from distrahere to pull in different directions, from dis- ¹+ trahere to drag

Example Sentences

One viewer noted the many gunfight scenes involving Alec Baldwin could be distracting.

From BBC

McBride called the move “a blatant attempt from far-right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing”.

From BBC

These groups often attempt to use the hunts' own tools against them - buying imitation horns and whips to try to distract the hounds.

From BBC

In his pre-tournament news conference on Monday, Nadal insisted he would not be distracted by emotion as he aimed to help Spain win the Davis Cup for a sixth time in his career.

From BBC

Retiring superstar Rafael Nadal says he will not be distracted by emotion as he aims to help Spain win the Davis Cup in the final tournament of his illustrious career.

From BBC

Related Words

• amuse
• bewilder
• detract
• disturb
• divert
• entertain
• fluster
• mislead
• perplex
• puzzle
• trouble