distractions

IPA/dɪˈstræk.ʃən/
KK[dɪstrˈækʃənz]IPA/dɪˈstræk.ʃən/

distractions — noun

  • distractionssingular
  • distractionsesplural

1. the feeling of being extremely upset, bored, or annoyed because something preven

1.nounB2
Definition

the feeling of being extremely upset, bored, or annoyed because something prevents you from concentrating or troubles your mind

Example

Lauren was driven to distraction by the constant noise from the construction site next door.

fixed phrase: 'drive to distraction' for extreme annoyance

Ignacio found the endless paperwork a source of pure distraction during tax season.

collocation: 'pure distraction' / 'source of distraction'

Common collocations
  • driven to distraction
  • to distraction
  • in distraction
  • pure distraction
  • source of distraction
Synonyms
  • agitation

    stronger emphasis on nervousness and worry rather than boredom or annoyance

  • distress

    broader — covers any kind of suffering, not only distraction-related upset

  • torment

    much stronger — implies prolonged mental or physical suffering

Antonyms
  • calm

    the opposite emotional state of being settled and peaceful

  • composure

    specifically refers to keeping your thoughts and attention steady

Grammar Patterns

distraction + from + noun

to + possessive + distraction

drive + person + to distraction

Usage Note

Most commonly found in the fixed phrase 'drive someone to distraction' or the adverbial phrase 'to distraction' (e.g., 'they argued to distraction').

Common Mistakes

The noise was a great distraction for me.' (when meaning extreme annoyance)
The noise drove me to distraction.
The fixed phrase 'drive to distraction' is the natural way to express irritation or upset caused by distraction.

2. a thing or an activity that stops you from focusing on what you are supposed to

2.nounB1
Definition

a thing or an activity that stops you from focusing on what you are supposed to be doing

Example

The waiting room television was a constant distraction for Naoko as she tried to read.

collocation: 'constant distraction'

Ari silenced their phone, knowing that every notification would be a distraction during the exam.

Common collocations
  • constant distraction
  • major distraction
  • welcome distraction
  • tempting distraction
  • distraction from work
  • full of distractions
  • block out distractions
Synonyms
  • diversion

    slightly more formal; often suggests something deliberately chosen to redirect attention

  • interruption

    focuses on the act of breaking concentration, not just the thing causing it

  • disturbance

    implies noise or activity that bothers you, not just pulls your attention away

Antonyms
  • focus

    the state of concentrated attention that distractions break

  • concentration

    the mental effort that distractions interrupt

Grammar Patterns

distraction + from + noun phrase

a + distraction

no + distractions

without + distraction

Usage Note

Countable when referring to specific things ('the TV was a distraction'); uncountable in a more general sense ('I need to work without distraction'). The preposition is always 'from'.

Common Mistakes

The TV was a distraction of my studying.
The TV was a distraction from my studying.
'Distraction' takes the preposition 'from', not 'of', to indicate what is being interrupted.

3. an enjoyable activity that helps you stop worrying about your problems or daily

3.nounB1
Definition

an enjoyable activity that helps you stop worrying about your problems or daily responsibilities

Example

After a long week at work, Nora turns to gardening as a relaxing distraction.

collocation: 'a relaxing distraction from'

Aylin considers crossword puzzles the perfect distraction for her daily train journey to work.

Common collocations
  • pleasant distraction
  • welcome distraction
  • healthy distraction
  • relaxing distraction
  • perfect distraction
  • distraction from worries
  • distraction from stress
Synonyms
  • entertainment

    broader — includes shows, events, performances; 'distraction' is more personal and private

  • pastime

    focuses on the habitual nature of the activity rather than its escapist function

  • recreation

    more formal; implies physical or mental renewal through activity

Antonyms
  • work

    the main responsibility that distraction provides relief from

  • chore

    a boring or tiring task that distraction helps you forget

Grammar Patterns

distraction + from + noun phrase

a + adjective + distraction

4. the action of deliberately or accidentally making someone focus on something dif

4.nounB2
Definition

the action of deliberately or accidentally making someone focus on something different instead of what they were doing

Example

Zola dropped her pen to create a brief distraction while her friend slipped out.

collocation: 'create a distraction'

The sudden flash of lightning provided a startling distraction during the teacher's chemistry lesson.

Common collocations
  • create a distraction
  • provide a distraction
  • serve as a distraction
  • deliberate distraction
  • perfect distraction
  • brief distraction
  • just enough distraction
Synonyms
  • diversion

    often interchangeable; 'diversion' can also mean a detour or a recreational activity

  • interference

    stronger and more negative — suggests uninvited obstruction, not just attention-drawing

Antonyms
  • attention

    the focused state that distraction breaks

  • concentration

    the sustained mental effort that distraction disrupts

Grammar Patterns

create + a + distraction

as + a + distraction

serve + as + a + distraction

Usage Note

Frequently paired with verbs like 'create', 'provide', and 'serve as', framing distraction as a deliberate tactic or incidental event rather than a thing or an activity. Unlike sense 2 (THING DISTRACTING YOU), which labels the object causing inattention, this sense describes the act of redirecting someone's focus.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Diversion, interruption, disturbance, and interference all relate to distraction but differ in key ways. A diversion is something that intentionally or enjoyably redirects your attention ('the children built a diversion to keep the baby busy'). An interruption breaks a continuous activity and usually implies a temporary pause by an external event ('phone calls were a constant interruption that day'). Disturbance suggests noise, movement, or behaviour that bothers you and breaks your peace ('the party next door was a loud disturbance'). Interference is more active and negative — it implies meddling or obstructing someone's progress ('his constant interference made the project impossible'). Distraction covers all of these but focuses specifically on the pulling away of attention rather than the nature of what causes it.

diversion ↗interruption ↗disturbance ↗interference ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Distraction comes from the Latin word 'distractus', the past participle of 'distrahere' — 'dis-' meaning 'apart' and 'trahere' meaning 'to pull or draw'. So the original picture is of being pulled apart in different directions. It entered English through Old French during the 1500s, first with the sense of mental confusion or conflict (being pulled apart mentally), and later developed the modern meaning of having one's attention drawn away from something.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2