Word
preoccupied
Phoneticspre·oc·cu·pied, stress on the second syllable
US/pɹiˈɑkjəˌpaɪd/
UK/pɹɪˈɒkjʊpˌaɪd/
Definition
adj. thinking or worrying about something so much that you do not pay attention to other things. You might look distracted or busy because your mind is elsewhere.
adj. engrossed in thought or distracted by a particular concern to the exclusion of other matters. Often used predicatively after linking verbs such as 'seem', 'look', or 'appear'.
Examples
“She seemed preoccupied and didn't hear my question.”
“The manager was too preoccupied with the upcoming audit to notice the morale issues within the team.”
“While he tried to focus on the lecture, he remained visibly preoccupied by the news he had received earlier that morning, frequently checking his phone for updates.”
Examples
simple
“She seemed preoccupied and didn't hear my question.”
contextual
“The manager was too preoccupied with the upcoming audit to notice the morale issues within the team.”
complex
“While he tried to focus on the lecture, he remained visibly preoccupied by the news he had received earlier that morning, frequently checking his phone for updates.”
Usage
Typically takes the preposition 'with' or 'by' to indicate the cause of distraction.
Pitfall
He was preoccupied in his work.
He was preoccupied with his work.
Preoccupied is followed by 'with' or 'by' rather than 'in' when describing the object of focus.
Real-World Examples
“Of all of the distracted teams, Marseille are the most preoccupied with off-field matters.” “I was preoccupied by other concerns – the crushing exhaustion that I would describe to my doctors as “not normal tiredness”, the unexplained falls from my bike.” 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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