Definition

Noun: 1. The act of distracting; the state of being distracted: The act of drawing someone's attention away from something, or the resulting state of having one's attention divided or diverted. 2. Something that distracts: An entertainment, amusement, or thing that draws attention away from worries or from the task at hand. 3. Extreme agitation of the mind or emotions; mental turmoil: A state of confusion, frenzy, or madness.

Usage and Examples

• As the act or state of having attention diverted:
  • The noise from the construction site was a constant distraction for the students.
  • He found it hard to work due to the many distractions in the open-plan office.
• As something that provides amusement or relief:
  • After a stressful week, she watched a movie as a welcome distraction.
  • The puzzle book provided a pleasant distraction during the long flight.
• As a state of extreme agitation or confusion:
  • The conflicting instructions threw the team into complete distraction.
  • The constant delays were driving him to distraction.

Advanced Usage

• "To drive someone to distraction": To irritate, annoy, or frustrate someone intensely.
  • The constant tapping of his pen was driving her to distraction.
• "A welcome distraction": Something that pleasantly takes one's mind off troubles or tedious tasks.
  • The visit from my friend was a welcome distraction from my studies.

Variants and Related Words

• Distract (verb): To draw someone's attention away from something.
  • Don't distract the driver while he's operating the vehicle.
• Distracted (adjective): Unable to concentrate because one's mind is preoccupied or drawn to other things.
  • She seemed distracted and didn't hear the question.
• Distracting (adjective): Causing distraction; diverting attention.
  • The flashing lights were very distracting.

Synonyms

• Diversion: Something that turns attention from serious matters; a pastime.
• Interruption: An act of breaking the continuity of an activity or process.
• Bewilderment: A feeling of being perplexed and confused.

Idioms and Phrases

• Drive someone to distraction: To make someone extremely annoyed or frustrated.
  • The vague instructions are driving me to distraction!
• Love someone to distraction: To love someone with extreme, almost irrational intensity.
  • In the classic story, the hero loves the princess to distraction.

Noun

1. the act of distracting; drawing someone's attention away from something
   • conjurers are experts at misdirection
2. an entertainment that provokes pleased interest and distracts you from worries and vexations
3. an obstacle to attention
4. mental turmoil
   • he drives me to distraction