distraction
gb/dɪstɹˈækʃən/ us/dɪstɹˈækʃən/
B1
English
~ 7400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
thing that takes attention away
Something that takes your attention away from what you are doing or should do.
Usage pattern:
[something] is a distraction from [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "distraction" with "attraction" because they look similar. Remember: a "distraction" pulls your attention away from what you should do, while an "attraction" pulls your interest toward something you like. Also, use the preposition "from": "a distraction from my work," not "a distraction of my work."
Synonyms
interruption (Emphasizes a break or stop in an activity, while "distraction" focuses more on attention being pulled away.)
Antonyms
focus (Means strong, directed attention on one thing, the opposite of attention being pulled away by a distraction.)
Collocations
a constant distraction
|a major distraction
|an unwanted distraction
|eliminate distractions
|minimize distractions
|free from distraction
Themes
daily life
|work
|education
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- My phone is a constant distraction when I’m trying to study.
- Turn off any distractions before you start writing the report.
- The noise from the street was a major distraction during the meeting.
- Close the door so we can work without distraction.
- For many students, social media is the biggest distraction in class.
Learner examples
- The TV is a distraction when I do my homework.
- Please be quiet; I need to work without distraction.
- Music with words is a big distraction for me when I read.
- I turned off my phone to remove all distractions.
- Traffic outside the window is a distraction for the workers.
Noun
B2
state
2
state of being unfocused
A mind state where you cannot focus because you are thinking about many things at the same time.
Usage pattern:
in a state of distraction
Common mistake:
Learners often use only the adjective "distracted" and do not recognize the noun "distraction" for the mental state. Both are possible: "I am distracted" (adjective) and "I am in a state of distraction" (noun, more formal).
Synonyms
inattention (Focuses specifically on not paying attention, while "distraction" suggests the mind is scattered or pulled away.)
Antonyms
concentration (Means strong, steady attention on one thing, the opposite of a scattered or distracted state.)
Collocations
in a state of distraction
|signs of distraction
|moments of distraction
|his obvious distraction
Themes
emotions
|mental_health
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She drove in a state of distraction after hearing the bad news.
- His distraction was clear; he kept checking his phone instead of listening.
- A moment of distraction at the wheel can cause a serious accident.
- The teacher noticed your distraction during the test.
- He apologized for his distraction and asked her to repeat the question.
Learner examples
- Because of my distraction, I did not hear my name.
- Her distraction in class makes it hard for her to learn.
- I was in a state of distraction and forgot the time.
- The doctor saw my distraction and told me to rest.
- His distraction showed that he was very worried.
Noun
B2
entity
3
pleasant break from worries
Something fun or interesting that helps you forget your problems or stress for a short time.
Usage pattern:
a [positive adjective] distraction from [something unpleasant]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "distraction" is always negative. In this sense, it is often positive or neutral, especially with adjectives like "welcome," "nice," or "much-needed" ("a welcome distraction from work").
Synonyms
escape (Suggests getting away from reality or problems, sometimes more completely or for longer than a typical distraction.)
Antonyms
reminder (Brings a problem or worry back to your mind, whereas a distraction helps you forget it for a while.)
Collocations
a welcome distraction
|a nice distraction
|a much-needed distraction
|the perfect distraction
|a temporary distraction
|a distraction from reality
Themes
daily life
|leisure
|emotions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The movie was a welcome distraction from everything going on at work.
- Hobbies like gardening can be a healthy distraction from everyday stress.
- For him, video games are the perfect distraction after a long day.
- Her visit was a much-needed distraction from his loneliness.
- The holiday was a pleasant distraction from their financial worries.
Learner examples
- The game was a welcome distraction from my homework problems.
- Talking with my friend was a nice distraction from my stress.
- Reading is a good distraction when I feel sad.
- The trip was a perfect distraction from my busy job.
- Watching a funny show is a helpful distraction from bad news.
Noun
technical
C1
action
4
secondary attack to draw attention
A smaller military attack that is used to pull the enemy’s attention away from a bigger, more important attack.
Usage pattern:
use [something] as a distraction
Common mistake:
Learners may overextend this technical sense to everyday situations. In normal conversation, saying "a distraction" usually means something that takes your attention away, not a formal military tactic.
Synonyms
feint (A more technical military term for a false or pretend attack; "distraction" is slightly broader and less specialized.)
Antonyms
main attack (The primary planned action, which the distraction is meant to hide or protect.)
Collocations
serve as a distraction
|create a distraction for the enemy
|a distraction attack
|used purely as a distraction
Themes
military
|strategy
|politics
|law
Examples
- The airstrike was meant only as a distraction while ground forces moved in from the north.
- They used a small unit as a distraction to draw enemy fire away from the bridge.
- The navy attack served as a distraction so that the commandos could land unnoticed.
- Artillery fire on the hill acted as a distraction for the real offensive in the valley.
Learner examples
- The small attack was only a distraction from the main plan.
- They used a loud explosion as a distraction for the enemy soldiers.
- The planes made a distraction so the ships could move safely.
- The first group was a distraction while the second group moved forward.
Noun
technical
C2
action
5
medical separation of bones
In medical work, carefully pulling bones or body parts away from each other to help them heal in a better position.
Usage pattern:
[type] distraction of [body part]
Common mistake:
Learners may wrongly assume this medical sense is related to mental attention. In a medical context, "distraction" refers to physical separation of body parts, not to someone losing focus.
Synonyms
separation (A more general word; "distraction" in medicine refers to a specific controlled, therapeutic type of separation.)
Antonyms
compression (Means pressing things together, the opposite of pulling them apart in medical distraction.)
Collocations
spinal distraction
|cervical distraction
|skeletal distraction
|distraction osteogenesis
|joint distraction
Themes
health
|medicine
|body
|science
Examples
- The surgeon used gradual distraction to lengthen the patient’s leg bone.
- Spinal distraction is sometimes performed to relieve pressure on the nerves.
- The device allows controlled distraction of the joint over several weeks.
- Distraction osteogenesis has become a common technique in orthopedic surgery.
Learner examples
- The doctor used distraction of the bone to make the leg longer.
- Spinal distraction can help reduce pain in the back.
- The machine controls the distraction of the joint.
- In this operation, distraction of the bones is slow and careful.
Grammar
Dictionary form
distraction
IPA
GB/dɪstɹˈækʃən/
US/dɪstɹˈækʃən/
Syllables & stress
dis - trac - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (trac)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: distraction
- Plural: distraction, distractions
Word family
Forms
distractions
noun
Core family
Related words
distractedly
adverb
distractingly
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
undistracted
adjective
Advanced or less common
distractible
adjective
distractibility
noun
Expressions
as a distraction
1/ˈæz ə dɪstɹˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
used to take attention away
Used to say that something is done to take attention away from another thing, or to help someone forget a problem for a short time.
Examples
- She put on a movie as a distraction while they fixed the car.
- The teacher gave them a quick game as a distraction from the long lesson.
- He invited his friend out to dinner as a distraction from her worries.
drive [someone] to distraction
1/dɹˈaɪv sˈʌmwˌʌn tə dɪstɹˈækʃən/
idiom
annoy someone extremely
To make someone feel extremely annoyed, worried, or upset because something happens again and again and will not stop.
Examples
- The constant noise from the construction site is driving me to distraction.
- Her kids’ fighting all afternoon nearly drove her to distraction.
- Waiting for the test results is driving him to distraction.
without distraction
1/wɪðˈaʊt dɪstɹˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
with full focus, no interruptions
With no things around you that take your attention away, so you can fully focus on one task.
Examples
- I like to study early in the morning, without distraction.
- The library is a place where students can work without distraction.
- Turn off your phone so you can write this report without distraction.