English Explanatory Dictionary

preoccupy

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To distract; to draw attention elsewhere.
  2. To worry or concern (someone) so as to distract them.
  3. To occupy or take possession of beforehand.

Pronunciation

/pɹɪˈɒkjupaɪ/ /pɹiˈɑkjupaɪ/ en-us-preoccupy.ogg

Word forms

preoccupy preoccupies preoccupying preoccupied

Etymology

From pre- + occupy, after Middle French preoccuper, and its source, Latin praeoccupo, praeoccupare. Doublet of preoccupate, now obsolete.

Synonyms

exercise

Related words

preoccupation
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