verb
distraire
distract · entertain · distract oneself
Faire penser à autre chose ou amuser quelqu’un pour qu’il oublie ses soucis ou s’ennuie moins.
Definition & meaning
The verb distraire generally has two main meanings:
- To entertain or amuse: It refers to providing someone with an activity or a pastime that helps them relax or forget about worries. It is often used in the reflexive form (se distraire), meaning to enjoy oneself or to find a hobby.
- To distract: It refers to shifting someone's attention away from a task, a thought, or an activity. It implies causing a lack of concentration.
Grammar & Word origin
Grammar:
- It is a transitive verb (or reflexive verb: se distraire).
- It is a third-group verb (irregular). Its conjugation follows the pattern of traire.
Word origin:
- It comes from the Latin word distrahere, which means "to pull apart" or "to draw away." The prefix dis- indicates separation, and trahere means to pull or draw.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- For "to entertain": divertir , amuser , égayer .
- For "to distract": détourner , déconcentrer , égarer .
Antonyms:
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Examples
Je veux distraire mon petit frère.verb
I want to distract my little brother.
Les jeux distraient les enfants pendant le voyage.verb
Games distract the children during the trip.
Ce film nous a distraits après le travail.verb
This film entertained us after work.
Elle se distrait en dessinant le soir.verb
She distracts herself by drawing in the evening.
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