distract
word
/dɪˈstɹækt/
di-STRAKT
/dɪstɹˈækt/
di-STRAKT
Definition
To take someone's attention away from what they are doing or should be focusing on.
Usage & Nuances
Common in both formal and informal settings. Often used with 'from' ("distract from work"). Related nouns: 'distraction', 'distracted'. Sometimes used reflexively: 'get distracted'.
Spanish: distraerPortuguese (BR): distrairPortuguese (PT): distrairChinese (Simplified): 分散注意力Chinese (Traditional): 分散注意力Hindi: ध्यान भटकानाArabic: يشتتBengali: বিক্ষিপ্ত করা - মনোযোগ সরিয়ে নেওয়াRussian: отвлекать - отвлечьJapanese: 気を散らすVietnamese: làm sao nhãng - làm phân tâmKorean: 산만하게 하다 - 주의(를) 돌리다Turkish: dikkatini dağıtmakUrdu: توجہ ہٹاناIndonesian: làm mất tập trung - phân tâm
Example Sentences
Loud noises can distract students in class.
basic
The phone ringing distracted him from his book.
basic
She tried to distract the baby with a toy.
natural
Don't let social media distract you from your goals.
natural
I got so distracted by the music that I forgot to finish my homework.
natural
Please don't distract me while I'm working.
basic