absorbed

/əbˈzɔːbd/ (bre, ipa) · /əbˈzɔːrbd/ (ame, ipa) · /əb-ˈsȯrbd -ˈzȯrbd/ (ame, mw)

absorbed — adjective

  • absorbedpositive
  • more absorbedcomparative
  • most absorbedsuperlative

1. so interested in or involved with something that you do not notice other things

1.形容詞B2
釋義

so interested in or involved with something that you do not notice other things happening around you

例句

Mei-Lin was so absorbed in her novel that she did not hear the phone ring.

absorbed in + noun — target of focus follows 'in'

The children were completely absorbed in building a castle out of wooden blocks.

completely absorbed — common adverb collocation

同義詞
  • engrossed

    Interchangeable in most contexts; 'engrossed' may suggest even deeper focus on a single activity

  • immersed

    Slightly more formal; often used with 'in' and suggests being surrounded by the activity

  • preoccupied

    Implies worry or distraction rather than positive interest; can suggest the person should be paying attention elsewhere

反義詞
  • distracted

    Paying attention to too many things at once, or unable to focus

  • inattentive

    Not paying attention at all, often due to lack of interest rather than deep focus elsewhere

文法句型

be absorbed in [noun/-ing]

so absorbed [that-clause]

absorbed in thought

用法筆記

Almost always followed by the preposition 'in' when specifying the object of focus. 'Absorbed in thought' is a fixed phrase meaning deeply engaged in thinking. The adjective usually describes a person's state, but can also describe their expression or manner.

常見錯誤

❌She was absorbed with the book.
✅She was absorbed in the book.
💡'absorbed' requires the preposition 'in', not 'with'.
❌The book was very absorbed.
✅The book was very absorbing.
💡'absorbed' describes a person's state; 'absorbing' describes the thing that holds attention.