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 preoccupied preoccupied /priːˈɑːkjəˌpaɪd/

adjective

  1. () Having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something  ( haunted , obsessed , preoccupied , taken up )
    having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something
     Became more and more haunted by the stupid riddle
    became more and more haunted by the stupid riddle
     Was absolutely obsessed with the girl
    was absolutely obsessed with the girl
     Got no help from his wife who was preoccupied with the children
    got no help from his wife who was preoccupied with the children
     He was taken up in worry for the old woman
    he was taken up in worry for the old woman
  2. () Deeply absorbed in thought  ( bemused , lost , preoccupied )
    deeply absorbed in thought
     As distant and bemused as a professor listening to the prattling of his freshman class
    as distant and bemused as a professor listening to the prattling of his freshman class
     Lost in thought
    lost in thought
     A preoccupied frown
    a preoccupied frown


 preoccupy preoccupy /priːˈɑːkjəˌpaɪ/

verb

  1. () Engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or occupy urgently or obsessively  ( preoccupy )
    engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or occupy urgently or obsessively
     His work preoccupies him
    His work preoccupies him
     The matter preoccupies her completely--she cannot think of anything else
    The matter preoccupies her completely--she cannot think of anything else
  2. Occupy or take possession of beforehand or before another or appropriate for use in advance  ( preoccupy )
    occupy or take possession of beforehand or before another or appropriate for use in advance
     The army preoccupied the hills
    the army preoccupied the hills