distracted
Americanadjective
-
having the attention diverted.
She tossed several rocks to the far left and slipped past the distracted sentry.
-
rendered incapable of behaving, reacting, etc., in a normal manner, as by worry, remorse, or the like; irrational; disturbed.
adjective
-
bewildered; confused
-
mad
Other Word Forms
- distractedly adverb
- distractedness noun
- nondistracted adjective
- nondistractedly adverb
- undistracted adjective
- undistractedly adverb
- undistractedness noun
Etymology
Origin of distracted
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Fellow lodgers at his New York City boardinghouse worried as the typically cheerful, young Fairbanks grew gloomy and distracted.
From Literature
Handsome would have been distracted by his hand mirror long before Duane talked about the merits of listening and paying attention to whom you are addressing.
From Literature
Generally, it’s really easy to get distracted given the diversity and convenience modern-day life offers.
From Los Angeles Times
“You’re not distracted, because it doesn’t do anything else,” he says.
From Los Angeles Times
Wind speeds are higher up in the sky, and investment bankers are often distracted by whistling gales that blow against the tower.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
