Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Absorbed in thought; engrossed.
- adjective Excessively concerned with something; distracted.
- adjective Formerly or already occupied.
- adjective Already used and therefore unavailable for further use. Used of taxonomic names.
from The Century Dictionary.
- Occupied previously; engrossed; hence, lost in thought; meditative; abstracted.
- In zoology and botany, already used as a name for a genus, species, etc., and therefore, by the laws of priority, rejected for any other genus, species, etc., to which it has been applied.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective
Concerned with something else;distracted ; giving one's attentionelsewhere . - verb Simple past tense and past participle of
preoccupy .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adjective deeply absorbed in thought
- adjective having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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I think your last point on being preoccupied is so right as far as a creativity killer.
How to Squeeze Writing Inspiration from Every Experience | Write to Done 2009
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His eyes were restless, his expression preoccupied, his manner haughty.
The Hallam Succession Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr 1875
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67More than fifty years after the first African nations achieved independence we should ask why historians 'eyes remain preoccupied with "progress," which has largely emphasized the history of societies through the analytical lenses of politics and economics.
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Her expression preoccupied as she pushed open the door and encountered the welcome warmth of the hotel foyer, Sophie didn’t immediately see Dominic, sitting in acosy alcove nearby drinking coffee and reading a newspaper.
Mistress On Demand Cox, Maggie 2005
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Everyone else seems preoccupied, which is FINE with me.
qdiosa Diary Entry qdiosa 2005
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His expression remained preoccupied, almost grimly so, Luz noticed.
The Glory Game Janet Dailey 1985
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His expression remained preoccupied, almost grimly so, Luz noticed.
The Glory Game Janet Dailey 1985
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His expression remained preoccupied, almost grimly so, Luz noticed.
The Glory Game Janet Dailey 1985
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However, I'm finding it difficult to sift through the criticism that West is "preoccupied" with "pansexualism".
David L. Schindler criticizes Christopher West's work with TOTB 2009
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In past years, he's seen attendees so "preoccupied" with the partylike atmosphere that they skip out on some of the professional aspects of the show, such as the displays of global advertising.
Cannes Lions ad festival may not roar so loudly this year 2009
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