preoccupied

UK: /priˈɒkjʊpaɪd/ US: (prē ok′yə pīd′)

From the verb preoccupy: (⇒ conjugate)

preoccupied is: ⓘ

v past

v past p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pre•oc•cu•pied  (prē ok′yə pīd′), adj. 

1. completely engrossed in thought;
   absorbed.
2. previously occupied;
   taken;
   filled.
3. [Biol.] already used as a name for some species, genus, etc., and not available as a designation for any other.

• preoccupy + -ed² 1835–45

pre•oc′cu•pied′ly, adv. 
pre•oc′cu•pied′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. busy; concentrating.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

preoccupied / priːˈɒkjʊˌpaɪd/ adjective

1. engrossed or absorbed in something, esp one's own thoughts
2. already or previously occupied

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pre•oc•cu•py /priˈɑkyəˌpaɪ/   v. [~ + object] , -pied, -py•ing. 

1. to take the attention of (someone) so that one ignores other things:
   Her fears about her parents' health preoccupied her.

pre•oc•cu•pied, adj.: 

I was too preoccupied with my work to notice the time.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pre•oc•cu•py  (prē ok′yə pī′), v.t., -pied, -py•ing. 

1. to absorb or engross to the exclusion of other things.
2. to occupy beforehand or before others.

• pre- + occupy 1560–70

pre•oc′cu•pi′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

preoccupy / priːˈɒkjʊˌpaɪ/ verb ( -pies, -pying, -pied)(transitive)

1. to engross the thoughts or mind of
2. to occupy before or in advance of another

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin praeoccupāre to capture in advance, from prae before + occupāre to seize, take possession of