distractibility

American  

[dih-strak-tuh-bil-i-tee] / dɪˌstræk təˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

Psychiatry.

1. inability to sustain one's attention or attentiveness, which is rapidly diverted from one topic to another: a symptom of a variety of mental disorders, as manic disorder, schizophrenia, or anxiety states.

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Etymology

Origin of distractibility

First recorded in 1900–05; distract + -ibility

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

distractibility

Dashboard designers need to test new controls by using them blindfolded to simulate minimum distractibility for drivers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026

The discovery suggests that efforts to improve working memory and tackle distractibility in children during their crucial early months may reduce or prevent cognitive disadvantages later in life.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2023

Accept your distractibility The first step to mitigating distractions when working from home is to accept that you become distracted because humans are distractible.

From The Verge ● Aug. 4, 2022

He honestly does seem like an incredibly sweet guy, just as everybody in Seasons says, one with a huge heart, a sometimes astonishing vocal talent, and a puppylike distractibility by fast-moving things.

From Slate ● Feb. 18, 2020

Both had inherited their father’s thick black hair and espresso eyes, but Finn also inherited his mother’s delicate features, her dreamy distractibility.

From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby