distract

dis-tract · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To prevent someone from giving full attention to something.

  2. 2.

    To divert attention away from something.

  3. 3.

    To entertain or amuse someone to take their mind off something.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    Distract from — To draw attention away from something.
  • •
    Easily distracted — Prone to losing focus quickly.
  • •
    Distract oneself — To deliberately turn one's attention elsewhere.

Related words

Antonyms: concentrate, engage, focus
See also: distracted, distracting, distraction
Synonyms: deflect, disturb, divert, sidetrack

Etymology

From Latin distractus, past participle of distrahere ("to draw apart, pull in different directions"), from dis- ("apart") + trahere ("to draw, pull").