Words / B2

di-STRAKT/dɪˈstrækt/

To distract is to pull attention away: distract someone from work; a distracting noise. Distraction is the noun. Attract is almost an opposite direction. Do not mix distract with extract (pull out) or detract (take away from value). In exams, phones distract candidates — a common invigilator warning.

Meaning

To take someone’s attention away from what they should be doing.

Examples

• “Phones on the desk distract candidates during the listening test.”
• “Notifications distract candidates during the listening paper.”
• “The brightly coloured sidebar distracted readers from the main claim.”

Good to know

distract someone from + noun/-ing. Noun: distraction. Mix-ups: extract, detract, attract. Exam halls: no distracting devices.

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