preoccupation
gb/pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/ us/pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
C1
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
Nom
C1
state
1
constant focus or worry
when you keep thinking about something a lot and can’t stop
Schéma d’usage :
[someone]'s preoccupation with [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Don’t confuse with occupation (a job). A preoccupation is a strong mental focus, often a worry or obsession.
Synonymes
obsession (usually stronger and more extreme.)
|
fixation (suggests an unhealthy or rigid focus.)
|
concern (often weaker and more general.)
Antonymes
indifference (lack of interest or concern.)
|
detachment (emotional distance and lack of involvement.)
Collocations
a preoccupation with
|deep preoccupation
|growing preoccupation
|constant preoccupation
|obsessive preoccupation
|preoccupation about
|preoccupation over
|preoccupation that
|a preoccupation for
|fuel a preoccupation
Thèmes
emotions
|mental_health
|daily_life
Exemples
- Her preoccupation with what other people thought made it hard for her to relax.
- The report reflects a growing preoccupation with online safety.
- He spoke distractedly, his mind still in preoccupation with the exam results.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I have a preoccupation with my health.
- Her preoccupation with work is strong.
Nom
C1
abstract
2
main thing someone focuses on
the main thing someone thinks about and cares about
Schéma d’usage :
[something] is [someone]'s preoccupation
Erreur fréquente :
In this meaning, preoccupation can be a topic or activity (not only a worried feeling).
Synonymes
priority (emphasizes importance and choice more than mental absorption.)
|
interest (often more positive and less intense.)
|
focus (emphasizes where attention is directed.)
Antonymes
sidelight (something minor compared with what is central.)
|
afterthought (something considered late and not important.)
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
Thèmes
daily_life
|work
|education
Exemples
- For many students, finding a job after graduation is a major preoccupation.
- In retirement, gardening became his new preoccupation.
- Her preoccupation these days is getting the business profitable.
Exemples pédagogiques
- My main preoccupation is my family.
- Saving money is his preoccupation.
Nom
formal
C2
state
3
being busy with something
being busy with something
Schéma d’usage :
because of [someone]'s preoccupation with [something]
Erreur fréquente :
This meaning is less common; in modern English it often overlaps with the idea of mental absorption.
Synonymes
busyness (more about having a lot to do than about attention.)
|
engagement (can suggest active involvement rather than distraction.)
Antonymes
availability (having time and attention free for other things.)
|
leisure (free time and lack of pressing duties.)
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
Thèmes
work
|daily_life
Exemples
- His preoccupation with the new project left him little time for friends.
- Because of her preoccupation with paperwork, she missed the start of the meeting.
- Their preoccupation with daily survival made long-term planning difficult.
Exemples pédagogiques
- My preoccupation with work is high today.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
preoccupation
API
GB/pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
US/pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
Syllabes et accentuation
pre - oc - cu - pa - tion (5 syllabes)
Stress on 4th syllable (pa)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: preoccupation
- Plural: preoccupation, preoccupations
Famille de mots
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
Exemples
- 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.
become a preoccupation
1/bɪkˈʌm ə pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
start to dominate attention
to start thinking about something a lot
Exemples
- 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.
one's main preoccupation
1/wˈʌnz mˈeɪn pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
most important focus
the most important thing for someone right now
Exemples
- 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.