distract in English
- distract⇄adj. (Archaic.) distracted.
- distract⇄distract, verb, adjective.
- distract⇄noun distracter.
- distract⇄v.t. 1. to draw away (the mind or attention).
Ex. Noise distracts my attention from studying.
(SYN) divert.
2. to confuse; disturb; bewilder.
Ex. Several people talking at once distract a listener.
(SYN) perplex.
3
distract in Hindi हिन्दी
distract in Marathi मराठी
distract in Sindhi سنڌي
Distract
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
/dɪˈstrækt/
Definitions
- To divert attention from something; to cause someone to stop focusing on something.
- To disturb the normal concentration or focus of an individual.
- To interrupt or interfere with an activity or thought process.
Usage Examples
- "The loud noise from the construction site distracted me while I was studying."
- "He tried to distract her from the task by making jokes."
- "The flashing lights on the road distracted the driver."
Etymology
The word "distract" comes from the Latin "distrahere," meaning "to pull apart" or "to divide." It was first used in the 16th century to describe mental disturbance or diversion of attention. The prefix "dis-" indicates separation, and "trahere" means "to pull."
Synonyms
- Divert
- Distract
- Disrupt
- Preoccupy
- Confuse
- Interrupt
Antonyms
- Focus
- Concentrate
- Attend
- Direct
- Engage
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Distracción | /disˈtɾakθjon/ |
| French | Distraire | /dɪstʁɛʁ/ |
| German | Ablenken | /ˈapˌlɛŋkən/ |
| Italian | Distrarre | /disˈtrarre/ |
| Portuguese | Distrair | /dʒisˈtɾajʁ/ |
| Russian | Отвлекать | /ɐtvʲlʲɪˈkatʲ/ |
| Chinese | 分心 | /fēn xīn/ |
| Japanese | 気を散らす | /ki o chirasu/ |
| Arabic | يشوش | /yashawish/ |
| Hindi | ध्यान भटकाना | /dhyān bhatakānā/ |
| Bengali | মনোযোগ বিভ্রান্ত করা | /mōnōyōg bibhṛānt karā/ |
| Gujarati | ધ્યાન વિમુક્ત કરવું | /dhyān vimukta karvu/ |
| Kannada | ಅಶಾಂತಗೊಳಿಸು | /aśāntagoḷisu/ |
| Malayalam | ദേഹത്ത് ബോധം കുറഞ്ഞുകൂടുക | /dēhath bōdham kuṟaññukūṭuka/ |
| Marathi | ध्यान भटकवणे | /dhyān bhatakavaṇe/ |
| Punjabi | ਧਿਆਨ ਹਟਾਉਣਾ | /dhyān haṭāuṇā/ |
| Telugu | ఆకర్షణ | /ākārṣaṇa/ |
| Urdu | توجہ ہٹانا | /tawajjoh haṭānā/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "distract" may vary slightly across different English-speaking regions, with some accents producing a more emphasized second syllable (e.g., "dih-STRAKT") and others a softer version (e.g., "di-STRAKT").
Historical Usage
The verb "distract" has been used in English since the early 16th century, originating from the Latin verb "distrahere," meaning to pull apart. It has traditionally been used in contexts involving mental focus, especially in relation to thoughts, attention, or physical disturbance.
Cultural Nuances
The concept of distraction is increasingly relevant in modern times, with the advent of digital media, social networking, and multitasking. In many cultures, distraction is often viewed as a barrier to success, concentration, and mindfulness. However, in some creative fields, distraction can be seen as a catalyst for new ideas or innovations.
More Information
"Distract" is commonly used in both formal and informal settings to describe the action of diverting someone's attention from a particular task or subject. The term is often used in educational, psychological, and workplace environments, where maintaining focus is crucial. However, in other contexts, such as entertainment or advertising, distraction can be intentionally induced to capture attention.