Word
preoccupation
Phoneticspre·oc·cu·pa·tion, stress on the fourth syllable
US/pɹiˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃən/
UK/pɹɪˌɒkjʊpˈeɪʃən/
Definition
n. a strong interest or worry that takes up most of your time and energy. You use this when you are thinking about one thing so much that you cannot focus on anything else.
n. a state of being deeply absorbed in a particular thought or concern. Often implies a singular focus that excludes other matters from the mind.
Examples
“His constant preoccupation with work made him a poor friend.”
“The politician's preoccupation with the upcoming election left little time for the daily management of the city's infrastructure.”
“The novel explores the protagonist's preoccupation with her past, suggesting that her inability to move forward is the root cause of her current emotional distress.”
Examples
simple
“His constant preoccupation with work made him a poor friend.”
contextual
“The politician's preoccupation with the upcoming election left little time for the daily management of the city's infrastructure.”
complex
“The novel explores the protagonist's preoccupation with her past, suggesting that her inability to move forward is the root cause of her current emotional distress.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “preoccupation” in context.
Verb
01. reflect preoccupation
“The artist's later works reflect a growing preoccupation with mortality and the passage of time.”
verb + noun
02. preoccupation reflect
Real-World Examples
“As these efforts were getting away, Straus also launched what would become his major preoccupation: promoting pasteurized milk.” “Some researchers have introduced a clinical framework for what happens in this instance called Problematic News Consumption (PNC) — a pattern of news engagement that results in preoccupation, dysregulation and disruption to daily functioning.” “In many families and communities, preoccupation with individual achievement has eroded the values of kindness and caring in the lives of our children," he explains.” “If there was a bright running thread through Berger’s portmanteau career, it was this preoccupation with the past and its connection to the present.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French préoccupation, from Latin praeoccupātiō. By surface analysis, pre- + occupation or preoccupy + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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