Inglese

preoccupation

gb/pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/ us/pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
C1 Inglese
Accezioni
0 accezioni
Sostantivo C1 state
1

constant focus or worry

when you keep thinking about something a lot and can’t stop

Schema d'uso: [someone]'s preoccupation with [something]
Errore comune:
Don’t confuse with occupation (a job). A preoccupation is a strong mental focus, often a worry or obsession.
Sinonimi
obsession (usually stronger and more extreme.) | fixation (suggests an unhealthy or rigid focus.) | concern (often weaker and more general.)
Contrari
indifference (lack of interest or concern.) | detachment (emotional distance and lack of involvement.)
Collocazioni
a preoccupation with |deep preoccupation |growing preoccupation |constant preoccupation |obsessive preoccupation |preoccupation about |preoccupation over |preoccupation that |a preoccupation for |fuel a preoccupation
Temi
emotions |mental_health |daily_life
Esempi
  • 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.
Esempi per chi studia
  • I have a preoccupation with my health.
  • Her preoccupation with work is strong.
Sostantivo C1 abstract
2

main thing someone focuses on

the main thing someone thinks about and cares about

Schema d'uso: [something] is [someone]'s preoccupation
Errore comune:
In this meaning, preoccupation can be a topic or activity (not only a worried feeling).
Sinonimi
priority (emphasizes importance and choice more than mental absorption.) | interest (often more positive and less intense.) | focus (emphasizes where attention is directed.)
Contrari
sidelight (something minor compared with what is central.) | afterthought (something considered late and not important.)
Collocazioni
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
Temi
daily_life |work |education
Esempi
  • 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.
Esempi per chi studia
  • My main preoccupation is my family.
  • Saving money is his preoccupation.
Sostantivo formal C2 state
3

being busy with something

being busy with something

Schema d'uso: because of [someone]'s preoccupation with [something]
Errore comune:
This meaning is less common; in modern English it often overlaps with the idea of mental absorption.
Sinonimi
busyness (more about having a lot to do than about attention.) | engagement (can suggest active involvement rather than distraction.)
Contrari
availability (having time and attention free for other things.) | leisure (free time and lack of pressing duties.)
Collocazioni
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
Temi
work |daily_life
Esempi
  • 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.
Esempi per chi studia
  • My preoccupation with work is high today.
Grammatica
Forma base
preoccupation
IPA
GB/pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
US/pɹiˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
Sillabe e accento
pre - oc - cu - pa - tion (5 sillabe)
Stress on 4th syllable (pa)
Forme flesse
Noun
  • Base: preoccupation
  • Plural: preoccupation, preoccupations
Famiglia di parole
Forms
preoccupations noun
Core family
preoccupy verb C1 preoccupied adjective
Related words
occupy verb B1 occupation noun A2 occupied adjective occupant noun B1 occupational adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
unoccupied adjective B2
Advanced or less common
occupancy noun B2 occupier noun preoccupying adjective
Espressioni

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

Esempi
  • 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

Esempi
  • 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

Esempi
  • 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.

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