distraction
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
something that takes your attention away from what you are supposed to be doing.
a thing that prevents someone from giving their full attention to something else.
Simple“I find it hard to work at home because there are so many distractions like the TV and the fridge.”
In context“The constant pinging of smartphone notifications serves as a major distraction for students attempting to engage with complex academic texts.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
the state of being unable to think clearly because your mind is on something else.
the state of being distracted; a lack of mental focus or concentration.
Simple“She stared at the page in distraction, unable to remember what she had just read.”
In context“His distraction was evident during the meeting, as he repeatedly asked colleagues to restate points that had already been clarified.”
Synonymsinattentionabsent mindednessAntonymsattentiveness - 03 C1 Advanced
a state of being very upset, worried, or confused.
extreme mental agitation, distress, or a state of being nearly 'driven mad' by emotion.
Simple“By the end of the long search, the worried parents were driven to distraction.”
In context“The protagonist's mind was in a state of total distraction as he grappled with the weight of his conflicting loyalties.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
a medical technique used to pull bones or joints apart slightly to help them heal.
the act of pulling a limb or bone to separate joint surfaces or lengthen a bone.
Simple“The surgeon used distraction to create a small gap in the bone so new tissue could grow.”
In context“The clinical team monitored the patient daily during the distraction phase of the limb-lengthening procedure to ensure proper callus formation.”
UsageOften used in orthopedic surgery contexts regarding bone lengthening.
SynonymsAntonyms
“A bell-to-bell ban may reduce social media pressure and classroom distractions, but teens may also perceive the restriction as limiting their personal freedom.”
“In other studies, such a request might be seen as a distraction, and the researchers might discourage it.”
Borrowed from Middle French distraction, from Latin distractio. Equivalent to distract + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.