preoccupation
gb/pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/ us/pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
lekötöttség, fő elfoglaltság, fő gond, lefoglaltság, elfoglaltság
NOUN
C1
1
lekötöttség
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s preoccupation with [something]
Her preoccupation with what other people thought made it hard for her to relax.
Az, hogy állandóan azon aggódott, mit gondolnak róla mások, megnehezítette számára, hogy ellazuljon.
The report reflects a growing preoccupation with online safety.
A jelentés az online biztonsággal kapcsolatos növekvő aggodalmat tükrözi.
He spoke distractedly, his mind still in preoccupation with the exam results.
Learner examples
I have a preoccupation with my health.
Sokat aggódom az egészségem miatt.
Her preoccupation with work is strong.
A munka nagyon leköti.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with occupation (a job). A preoccupation is a strong mental focus, often a worry or obsession.
Meaning
constant focus or worry
Collocations
a preoccupation with
|deep preoccupation
|growing preoccupation
|constant preoccupation
|obsessive preoccupation
|preoccupation about
|preoccupation over
|preoccupation that
|a preoccupation for
|fuel a preoccupation
Synonyms
obsession (usually stronger and more extreme.)
|
fixation (suggests an unhealthy or rigid focus.)
|
concern (often weaker and more general.)
Antonyms
indifference (lack of interest or concern.)
|
detachment (emotional distance and lack of involvement.)
Themes
emotions
|mental_health
|daily_life
Definition
when you keep thinking about something a lot and can’t stop
the state of being so absorbed in a thought, worry, or interest that it takes up much of your attention
NOUN
C1
2
fő gond
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is [someone]'s preoccupation
For many students, finding a job after graduation is a major preoccupation.
Sok diák számára a diploma utáni álláskeresés az egyik fő gond.
In retirement, gardening became his new preoccupation.
Nyugdíjas éveiben a kertészkedés lett az új fő elfoglaltsága.
Her preoccupation these days is getting the business profitable.
Learner examples
My main preoccupation is my family.
Leginkább a családom foglalkoztat.
Saving money is his preoccupation.
A spórolás foglalkoztatja a leginkább.
Common mistake:
In this meaning, preoccupation can be a topic or activity (not only a worried feeling).
Meaning
main thing someone focuses on
Collocations
main preoccupation
|primary preoccupation
|chief preoccupation
|his preoccupation
|her preoccupation
|a lifelong preoccupation
|a constant preoccupation
|become a preoccupation
|remain a preoccupation
|a preoccupation for
Synonyms
priority (emphasizes importance and choice more than mental absorption.)
|
interest (often more positive and less intense.)
|
focus (emphasizes where attention is directed.)
Antonyms
sidelight (something minor compared with what is central.)
|
afterthought (something considered late and not important.)
Themes
daily_life
|work
|education
Definition
the main thing someone thinks about and cares about
a subject, goal, or activity that receives a lot of a person’s attention and interest
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
3
lefoglaltság
B2
elfoglaltság
B1
Usage pattern:
because of [someone]'s preoccupation with [something]
His preoccupation with the new project left him little time for friends.
Az új projekt annyira lefoglalta, hogy alig maradt ideje a barátaira.
Because of her preoccupation with paperwork, she missed the start of the meeting.
Mivel annyira lefoglalta a papírmunka, lekéste a megbeszélés kezdetét.
Their preoccupation with daily survival made long-term planning difficult.
Learner examples
My preoccupation with work is high today.
Ma nagyon lefoglal a munka.
Common mistake:
This meaning is less common; in modern English it often overlaps with the idea of mental absorption.
Meaning
being busy with something
Collocations
current preoccupation
|temporary preoccupation
|complete preoccupation
|preoccupation with work
|preoccupation with duties
|preoccupation prevented
|preoccupation left little time
|preoccupation meant that
|preoccupation led to
|preoccupation distracted
Synonyms
busyness (more about having a lot to do than about attention.)
|
engagement (can suggest active involvement rather than distraction.)
Antonyms
availability (having time and attention free for other things.)
|
leisure (free time and lack of pressing duties.)
Themes
work
|daily_life
Definition
being busy with something
the state of being occupied or engaged with an activity so that little time or attention is available for other things
Grammar
Dictionary form
preoccupation
IPA
GB/pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
US/pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
pre - oc - cu - pa - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (pa)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: preoccupation
- Plural: preoccupation, preoccupations
Word family
Forms
preoccupations
noun
Core family
preoccupy
verb C1
preoccupied
adjective
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unoccupied
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
Expressions
a national preoccupation
1/ə nˈæʃnəl pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
countrywide obsession topic
a topic that many people in a country care about a lot
Examples
- For months, the election became a national preoccupation.
- In some places, the weather is a national preoccupation.
- Housing costs have turned into a national preoccupation.
Learner examples
- Football is a national preoccupation there.
become a preoccupation
1/bɪkˈʌm ə pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
start to dominate attention
to start thinking about something a lot
Examples
- After the break-in, home security became a preoccupation for the whole street.
- As the deadline approached, the presentation became a preoccupation.
- With time, his irritation became a preoccupation he couldn’t shake.
Learner examples
- After the test, my score became a preoccupation.
one's main preoccupation
1/wˈʌnz mˈeɪn pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
most important focus
the most important thing for someone right now
Examples
- Her main preoccupation is keeping her kids safe online.
- At the moment, my main preoccupation is paying the rent.
- During the campaign, their main preoccupation was winning undecided voters.
Learner examples
- My main preoccupation is my exams.