distraction
Americannoun
-
the act of distracting.
-
the state of being distracted.
-
mental distress or derangement.
That child will drive me to distraction.
-
that which distracts, divides the attention, or prevents concentration.
The distractions of the city interfere with my studies.
-
that which amuses, entertains, or diverts; amusement; entertainment.
Fishing is his major distraction.
-
division or disorder caused by dissension; tumult.
noun
-
the act or an instance of distracting or the state of being distracted
-
something that serves as a diversion or entertainment
-
an interruption; an obstacle to concentration
-
mental turmoil or madness
Etymology
Origin of distraction
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin distractiōn-, stem of distractiō “separation”; equivalent to distract + -ion
Explanation
A distraction is something that takes your attention away from what you're supposed to be doing. If you just can't keep from checking your email every ten seconds, that's a distraction that's going to interfere with doing your homework. A distraction can also be a pleasant break. If you're worried about your dance recital tomorrow, watching a mindless action flick may be a welcome distraction that helps you relax. Has anyone ever told you, "You're driving me to distraction"? When you're driven to distraction, you're so agitated you feel like you're going crazy. Distraction comes from the Latin dis-, "apart," and trahere, "drag." So distraction is when you're dragged away from your task or from your worries.
Vocabulary lists containing distraction
Smoke and Mirrors: The Lingo of Illusion and Deception
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Dear Martin
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
When Stars Are Scattered
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
But just before the wedding, when she turned 16 in 1996, Sierra Leone's civil war caused enough distraction to allow her to escape with the help of relatives and seek asylum in the UK.
From BBC • May 17, 2026
Every moment he’s at a game or practice, it serves as a positive distraction from thinking about the fight his brother, Matt, the athletic director at St. Francis, has been enduring.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
"He feels his position has become an increasing distraction from South East Water's most important priority, which is to deliver a resilient water supply for its customers," the company said.
From BBC • May 8, 2026
“These factors—alongside the distraction posed by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea—have converged to create an opening that Somali pirates have been quick to exploit,” said the IISS.
From Barron's • May 4, 2026
She was itching to read it, and she really needed a distraction, but somehow, she couldn’t even stomach fun right now.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
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.
