preoccupied
[ pree-ok-yuh-pahyd ]
/ priˈɒk yəˌpaɪd /
adjective
completely engrossed in thought; absorbed.
previously occupied; taken; filled.
Biology.
already used as a name for some species, genus, etc., and not available as a designation for any other.
OTHER WORDS FROM preoccupied
pre·oc·cu·pied·ly, adverb pre·oc·cu·pied·ness, noun un·pre·oc·cu·pied, adjectiveWords nearby preoccupied
prenup,
prenuptial,
prenuptial agreement,
preoccupancy,
preoccupation,
preoccupied,
preoccupy,
preop,
preoperative,
preoral,
preordain
Definition for preoccupied (2 of 2)
preoccupy
[ pree-ok-yuh-pahy ]
/ priˈɒk yəˌpaɪ /
verb (used with object), pre·oc·cu·pied, pre·oc·cu·py·ing.
to absorb or engross to the exclusion of other things.
to occupy beforehand or before others.
OTHER WORDS FROM preoccupy
pre·oc·cu·pi·er, noun o·ver·pre·oc·cu·py, verb (used with object), o·ver·pre·oc·cu·pied, o·ver·pre·oc·cu·py·ing.Example sentences from the Web for preoccupied
British Dictionary definitions for preoccupied (1 of 2)
preoccupied
/ (priːˈɒkjʊˌpaɪd) /
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
British Dictionary definitions for preoccupied (2 of 2)
preoccupy
/ (priːˈɒkjʊˌpaɪ) /
verb -pies, -pying or -pied (tr)
to engross the thoughts or mind of
to occupy before or in advance of another
Word Origin for preoccupy
C16: from Latin
praeoccupāre to capture in advance, from
prae before +
occupāre to seize, take possession of