distraction

distraction — noun

1. a state of being so bored or irritated by something that you can no longer stay

1.nounB2
Definition

a state of being so bored or irritated by something that you can no longer stay calm or think clearly — most often used in the phrase 'to distraction' after verbs like drive, send, or bore

Example

The baby's non-stop crying drove Zola to distraction during the long flight.

collocation 'drive + someone + to distraction'

Tara's constant humming in the office was enough to drive her colleagues to distraction.

Common collocations
  • drive someone to distraction
  • bore someone to distraction
  • a source of distraction
  • pure distraction
Synonyms
  • annoyance

    milder in intensity; does not imply the same breaking point

  • irritation

    focuses on the feeling rather than the state of being unable to think

  • frustration

    overlaps but broader — can apply to obstacles, not just boredom or annoyance

Antonyms
  • composure

    the calm, collected state that distraction destroys

Grammar Patterns

drive/send/bore + someone + to distraction

Usage Note

Frequently used in the fixed phrase 'to distraction' after verbs like drive, send, or bore. In this pattern, the irritating thing is the grammatical subject, not the person: 'The noise drove me to distraction' — NOT 'I drove to distraction because of the noise.'

Common Mistakes

I drove to distraction because of the traffic.
The traffic drove me to distraction.
The cause of frustration must be the subject of the sentence, not the person affected.

2. anything that pulls your focus toward itself and away from the task or activity

2.nounB1
Definition

anything that pulls your focus toward itself and away from the task or activity you should be concentrating on

Example

Andrew put his phone in a drawer so it would not be a distraction while studying.

countable: 'a distraction' + purpose clause with 'while'

The loud construction noise outside was a major distraction for everyone taking the exam.

Common collocations
  • a distraction for
  • a distraction from
  • major distraction
  • constant distraction
  • remove distractions
  • avoid distractions
Synonyms
  • interruption

    implies a break in an ongoing activity, often unwanted

  • diversion

    slightly more neutral or even positive; can be chosen deliberately

  • disturbance

    stronger negative connotation; often involves noise or commotion

Antonyms
  • focus

    the state of giving full attention to one thing

  • concentration

    the mental effort of staying on task

Grammar Patterns

something + be + a distraction + for/to + someone

something + be + a distraction + from + noun phrase

Usage Note

Countable when referring to a specific thing ('the TV was a distraction'); uncountable when describing the general concept ('working without distraction'). Often followed by 'from' to indicate what is being ignored.

Common Mistakes

The music is a distraction for me to concentrate.
The music is a distraction that makes it hard to concentrate.
'distraction' names the cause of lost focus, not the barrier itself; pair it with a result clause.

3. an enjoyable activity that gives you a mental break from your usual work, worrie

3.nounB2
Definition

an enjoyable activity that gives you a mental break from your usual work, worries, or daily routine

Example

For Ingrid, gardening was a welcome distraction after a long week at the office.

collocation: 'welcome distraction'

Reading a good novel is one of the simplest and most affordable distractions.

Common collocations
  • welcome distraction
  • pleasant distraction
  • creative distraction
  • a distraction from work
  • a distraction from worries
Synonyms
  • pastime

    neutral term for a regular hobby; lacks the sense of temporary escape

  • recreation

    more formal; often implies physical or outdoor activity

  • entertainment

    broader; can be passive (watching a show) as well as active

Antonyms
  • work

    the activity that distraction provides a break from

  • drudgery

    tedious, monotonous work that one seeks distraction from

Grammar Patterns

something + be + a distraction + from + worries/problems/stress

Usage Note

Unlike sense 2 (which describes an unwanted interruption), this sense refers to a chosen, positive activity. The word 'distraction' here is nearly synonymous with 'pastime' or 'recreation.' Common collocations include 'welcome distraction,' 'pleasant distraction,' and 'a distraction from [worries or stress].'

Common Mistakes

I need a distraction of my work.
I need a distraction from my work.
The preposition 'from' indicates what you are taking a break from, not 'of.'

4. a state of severe emotional upset, agitation, or confusion that makes it impossi

4.nounC1
Definition

a state of severe emotional upset, agitation, or confusion that makes it impossible to think clearly or act calmly

Example

The news of the accident threw the Watanabe family into a state of distraction.

collocation: 'throw into a state of distraction'

Salma paced up and down in distraction, unable to decide what to do next.

Common collocations
  • in a state of distraction
  • throw into distraction
  • in distraction
  • distraction and grief
  • distraction and fear
Synonyms
  • turmoil

    focuses on inner chaos without the specific connotation of lost attention

  • agitation

    emphasizes physical restlessness more than mental confusion

  • confusion

    broader; can apply to simple misunderstanding, not just emotional upset

Antonyms
  • clarity

    the state of having a clear, calm mind

  • calm

    emotional peace and composure

Grammar Patterns

throw/cast + someone + into distraction

in a state of distraction

in distraction

Usage Note

Uncountable and primarily formal or literary — this sense is rare in everyday spoken English. It describes a deep emotional disarray caused by grief, shock, anger, or excitement. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 is about irritation or boredom reaching a breaking point, while sense 4 is about emotional agitation or grief that overwhelms clear thought.

Common Mistakes

I was in distraction that my keys were lost.
I was in a state of distraction because I had lost my keys.
'in distraction' is a state, not followed directly by a that-clause; use 'in a state of distraction' + a separate reason clause.
Idioms

to distraction

idiom

To a point where someone becomes very upset, excited, or angry and cannot think clearly.

The constant noise from the construction site drove Maya to distraction.

Aiden was bored to distraction during the long, slow train ride.

Word family

  • distract
    verbB1
  • distracted
    adjectiveB1
  • distracting
    adjectiveB1
  • distractedly
    adverbB2
  • distractingly
    adverbB2
  • undistracted
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All three words describe something that breaks your concentration, but they differ in source and connotation. 'Interruption' is the most neutral — it simply means something stops you mid-task, whether a phone call or a knock on the door. 'Diversion' is often intentional or even pleasant; you might seek a diversion from work, and the word carries a lighter tone. 'Disturbance' is the strongest of the three — it implies noise, commotion, or unwanted intrusion that disrupts not just focus but also peace or order (e.g., 'a disturbance in the library'). 'Distraction' differs from all three in that it can come from within — your own wandering thoughts — or from an external object designed to steal your attention. For example, a notification on your phone is a distraction; a colleague interrupting your meeting is an interruption; a loud argument next door is a disturbance — but a planned coffee break is a diversion.

interruption ↗diversion ↗disturbance ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • source of distraction
  • cause of distraction
  • moment of distraction

Adverbs

  • constantly distracted
  • easily distracted
  • hopelessly distracted

Phrases

  • without distraction
  • free from distraction
  • a welcome distraction
  • drive someone to distraction

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'distractio,' meaning 'a pulling apart or drawing in different directions,' derived from the verb 'distrahere' ('dis-' = apart + 'trahere' = to pull). The word entered English via Old French in the 15th century with the literal sense of physical separation, then developed figurative meanings: first, a state of mental confusion (something pulling your mind in different directions), then anything that diverts attention, and finally, by the 18th century, a pleasant activity that diverts the mind from worries.