How to pronounce distract
Say it like dih-STRAKT. Distract has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRAKT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce distract. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- STRAKT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Distract pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- STRAKTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of distract
American and British speakers say distract in essentially the same way: /dɪˈstrækt/ in the US and /dɪˈstrækt/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-STRAKT.
What does distract mean?
- draw someone's attention away from something“The thief distracted the bystanders”“He deflected his competitors”
- disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed“She was rather perturbed by the news that her father was seriously ill”
Where does distract come from?
Borrowed from Latin distractus, from distrahō (“to pull apart”), from dis- + trahō (“to pull”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with distract
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of distract.
Questions about saying distract
How do you pronounce distract?
Say dih-STRAKT. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈstrækt/. In British English it is /dɪˈstrækt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in distract?
Distract has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRAKT). Broken into parts: dih · STRAKT.
Do Americans and Brits say distract the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈstrækt/ and the British form is /dɪˈstrækt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.