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preoccupied Definition

pre·oc·cu·pied (prē äk′yo̵̅o̅ pīd′, -yə-)

adjective

  1. previously or already occupied
  2. wholly occupied with or absorbed in one's thoughts; engrossed
  3. Biol. designating or of a taxonomic name already used and hence no longer available

preoccupied Synonyms

preoccupied

modif.

distracted, absorbed, engrossed; see absent-minded, rapt 2. See syn. study at absent-minded.

preoccupied Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • so: Why are we so preoccupied with working, for the sake of wealth?
  • very: People sometimes get very preoccupied with worrying about the authenticity of sources.
  • increasingly: In recent years academics, politicians and the media seem to have become increasingly preoccupied with the Holocaust.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: Whenever we have become preoccupied with small detail, we must suddenly change into a large spirit, interchanging large with small.
  • seem: Brian seems preoccupied - he has seen Brenda - broadcasting gossip is not a good idea.

Modifies a noun

  • manner: It seems aimless and their preoccupied manner suggests a disregard of time very foreign to the streets of London.
  • eye: She looked down with preoccupied eyes at the thin stream of water.
  • expression: The Overworlder had a preoccupied expression, which lent her cold beauty a hint of humanity.