Distraction Meaning and Definition
Distraction
Pronunciation
/dɪsˈtræksˌn/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A thing that attracts a person’s attention away from something else, often in an unfavorable manner.
Examples
- The news about the accident became a major distraction for the people in the town.
- The social media posts were a distraction for the students who were trying to study for their exams.
- The noise from the construction site was a distraction for the neighbors who were trying to sleep.
- The attractive scenery by the lake was a welcome distraction from the hustle and bustle of city life.
- The constant ringing of the phone was a distraction for the person who was trying to focus on their work.
- The bright lights of the city were a distraction for the person who was trying to enjoy a peaceful evening.
Synonyms
- Diversion
- Disturbance
Antonyms
- Focus
- Concentration
Etymology
The word “distraction” comes from the Latin “distractio”, meaning “to draw away” or “to take away”.
Usage Notes
In English, the word “distraction” is often used to describe something that takes a person’s attention away from their primary focus or goal. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Cultural References
The concept of distraction has been explored in various forms of media, including literature, film, and music.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
A thing that attracts a person’s attention away from something else, often in an unfavorable manner.
Related Words or Phrases
- Divert
- Diversion
- Detraction
Collocations
- major distraction
- bright distraction
- constant distraction
Frequency of Use
The word “distraction” is a common and widely used term in modern language, with a frequency of use that is on par with other words in the English language.
Common Misspellings
The most common misspellings of “distraction” include “distriction”, “distraktion”, and “distraktshun”.