distrait

/dis'trei/

Thân thiện

He looked distrait during the meeting, his gaze fixed on the window.

Definition

Adjective: Having the attention diverted, especially because of anxiety or worry; absent-minded, inattentive, or preoccupied.

Usage

The adjective distrait describes a person whose mind is wandering or who is not fully attentive to the present situation, typically due to inner concerns, anxiety, or distraction. It often implies a temporary state of mental absence. * The distrait professor walked into the wrong lecture hall. * She gave a distrait answer, clearly thinking about something else. * He seemed distrait during the meeting, constantly checking his phone.

Advanced Usage

• Literary/Formal Tone: Distrait is more common in literary or formal contexts than in everyday conversation. It carries a slightly old-fashioned or sophisticated nuance.
  • The nobleman, distrait with grief, barely acknowledged his guests.
• Distinguished from 'Distraught': While both words relate to a troubled mind, distrait specifically means or . Distraught is a stronger term meaning or .
  • Distrait: He was distrait, forgetting his keys because he was worried about the test.
  • Distraught: She was distraught after hearing the bad news.

Variants and Related Words

• Distracted (adj.): The more common, modern synonym for distrait, meaning unable to concentrate because the mind is preoccupied.
• Preoccupied (adj.): Absorbed in thought; engrossed.
• Absent-minded (adj.): Habitually forgetful or inattentive.

Synonyms

• Inattentive
• Abstracted
• Heedless
• Oblivious

Antonyms

• Attentive
• Alert
• Focused
• Concentrated

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety

Từ đồng nghĩa

• distracted