distracting

word · lemma: distract

/dɪˈstɹæktɪŋ/
di-STRAK-ting
/dɪstɹˈæktɪŋ/
di-STRAK-ting

Definition

Causing someone to lose focus or attention; drawing attention away from what someone is trying to concentrate on.

Usage & Nuances

Can describe anything from annoying interruptions ('The noise is distracting') to pleasant things that pull attention ('She was distractingly beautiful'). Often used with 'from': 'distracting me from my work'. The adverb form 'distractingly' is also common.

Example Sentences

The loud music is very distracting when I'm trying to study.

basic

Please stop distracting the other students during class.

basic

I find notifications on my phone really distracting.

basic

Working from home can be distracting when you have kids running around the house.

natural

The blinking cursor was oddly distracting — I couldn't focus on the blank page.

natural

He kept asking questions that were clearly meant to be distracting rather than helpful.

natural