Definition

Noun: - The state or quality of being abstracted; preoccupation with one's own thoughts to the exclusion of external matters. It refers to a mental condition of being withdrawn and inattentive to one's immediate surroundings due to deep thought or distraction.

Usage

• This noun describes a person's mental state. It is a formal or literary term.
• It is often used to characterize someone's demeanor or a temporary condition of the mind.
• It is typically used as the object of a preposition (e.g., ) or with a possessive (e.g., ).

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "lost in abstractedness": Deeply absorbed in thought.
  • She sat by the window, lost in abstractedness, for the entire afternoon.

Variants and Related Words

• Abstracted (adj.): Lost in thought; preoccupied.
  • He had an abstracted look on his face.
• Abstraction (n.): The quality of dealing with ideas rather than events, OR the state of being preoccupied. (Note: "abstraction" is more common and has a broader meaning than "abstractedness," which focuses specifically on the state of mental withdrawal.)
  • Philosophical abstraction can be difficult to grasp.

Synonyms

• Preoccupation: The state of being engrossed with something.
• Absentmindedness: The quality of being forgetful or inattentive.
• Distraction: A state of being unable to concentrate because the mind is preoccupied.
• Inattention: Lack of attention.

Antonyms

• Attentiveness: The action of paying close attention.
• Awareness: Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.
• Alertness: The quality of being vigilant and quick to notice.

Notes

• "Abstractedness" is a less common noun derived from the adjective "abstracted." The more frequently used related noun is "abstraction."

Noun

1. preoccupation with something to the exclusion of all else