Definition of 'distract'
Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense distracts
, present participle distracting
, past tense, past participle distracted
verb
If something distracts you or your attention from something, it takes your attention away from it.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
You may also like
Word Frequency
distract in British English
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
distracter (disˈtracter) noun
distractible (disˈtractible)
adjective
distractibility (disˌtractiˈbility)
noun
distracting (disˈtracting)
adjective
distractingly (disˈtractingly)
adverb
distractive (disˈtractive)
adjective
distractively (disˈtractively)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Latin distractus perplexed, from distrahere to pull in different directions, from dis-1 + trahere to drag
Word Frequency
distract in American English
verb transitive
2.
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
distractible (disˈtractible)
adjective
distracting (disˈtracting)
adjective
distractingly (disˈtractingly)
adverb
Word origin
ME distracten < L distractus, pp. of distrahere, to draw apart < dis-, apart + trahere, drawWord Frequency
distract in American English
(dɪˈstrækt)
transitive verb
1.
to draw away or divert, as the mind or attention
The music distracted him from his work
3.
I'm bored with bridge, but golf still distracts me
4.
to separate or divide by dissension or strife
adjective
SYNONYMS 2. bewilder, agitate, pain, torment, distress.5. obsolete
distracted
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
distracter noun
distractible
adjective
distractingly
adverb
Word origin
[1350–1400; ME ‹ L distractus (ptp. of distrahere to draw apart), equiv. to dis- dis-1 + trac- (var. s. of trahere to draw) + -tus ptp. suffix]Examples of 'distract' in a sentence
distract
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins.
We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to the Collins team. Read more…
Trends of
distract
View usage for:
Source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
In other languages
distract
British English: distract
/dɪˈstrækt/ VERB
If something distracts you, or if it distracts your attention , it stops you concentrating.
Playing video games sometimes distracts him from his homework.
- American English: distract /dɪsˈtrækt/
- Arabic: يَشْغَلُ
- Brazilian Portuguese: distrair
- Chinese: 转移注意力
- Croatian: odvratiti pažnju
- Czech: rozptýlit odvést pozornost
- Danish: distrahere
- Dutch: afleiden
- European Spanish: distraer
- Finnish: häiritä
- French: distraire
- German: ablenken
- Greek: αποσπώ την προσοχή
- Italian: distrarre
- Japanese: 注意をそらす
- Korean: 산만하게 하다
- Norwegian: distrahere
- Polish: oderwać
- European Portuguese: distrair
- Romanian: a distrage
- Russian: отвлекать
- Latin American Spanish: distraer
- Swedish: distrahera
- Thai: ทำให้ไขว้เขว, ทำให้วอกแวก
- Turkish: ilgisini başka yöne çekmek
- Ukrainian: відволікати
- Vietnamese: làm sao lãng
Browse alphabetically
distract
Related terms of
distract
Source
Definition of distract from the Collins English Dictionary
Read about the team of authors behind Collins Dictionaries.
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
knot
or
not?
Which version is correct?
role
or
roll?
Which version is correct?
their
or
they're?
Which version is correct?
weather
or
whether?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
whether
weather
I don't know they've found anybody yet.
dual
or
duel?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
dual
duel
I have citizenship of Britain and the US.
Your score:
Latest Word Submissions
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
KITCHEN UTENSILS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
sieve
casserole dish
toaster
spatula
Your score:
Learning English: Going shopping
Discover some useful English expressions to use while you're out at the shops in this week's Learning English blog.
Read more
Sting-Nettle Day
We're taking a closer look at the intriguing expressions and customs that have grown up around one of the most versatile plants out there - the stinging nettle.
Read more
Learning English: Saying goodbye
Learn informal ways to say goodbye in British English - from 'Goodbye' to 'See ya!' with examples and tips for everyday use.
Read more
Scrabble: Spoilt for Choice
Strategize your Scrabble moves based on anagrams on the board, score, vowel placement, and hooks to get the best score you can.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more