preoccupied
Americanadjective
-
completely engrossed in thought; absorbed.
- Synonyms:
- busy
-
previously occupied; taken; filled.
-
Biology. already used as a name for some species, genus, etc., and not available as a designation for any other.
adjective
-
engrossed or absorbed in something, esp one's own thoughts
-
already or previously occupied
-
biology (of a taxonomic name) already used to designate a genus, species, etc
Other Word Forms
- preoccupiedly adverb
- preoccupiedness noun
- unpreoccupied adjective
Etymology
Origin of preoccupied
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With its opulent Beverly Hills mansions, sports cars around every corner, plastic surgeons aplenty and a culture and economy steeped in entertainment, this city has long seemed preoccupied with surface appearances.
The musk ox was often too preoccupied with . . . well, himself, and his reflection in the large pond.
From Literature
While her classmates were preoccupied with exams, the May ball and where to spend their summers, Franks was worried about making her rent.
From BBC
Shabbas is a time when children need to be kept happy and preoccupied within certain limits while their parents are busy praying, preparing meals or napping.
China is struggling to maintain its annual growth target of 5% and is preoccupied with exporting its excess production.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
