distractor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Not exactly. A 'distraction' is the general state or act of having your attention diverted. A 'distractor' is the specific thing (object, sound, person, test option) that causes the distraction. It's the source or agent of the distraction.

Yes, but it's less common and quite formal/technical. In everyday language, you'd say 'he's a distraction' or 'he's distracting'. 'Distractor' would imply they are intentionally or functionally serving as an interfering element in a specific context (e.g., in a psychological experiment).

They are similar. A 'red herring' is a type of distractor used specifically to mislead or deceive someone, often in a mystery, argument, or investigation. A 'distractor' is a broader, more neutral term for anything that diverts attention, without the necessary intent to deceive.

Use it as a countable noun, often modified. Example: 'The experiment included a primary visual distractor in the peripheral field to assess selective attention.' Or: 'Three of the four options in question five were carefully crafted distractors.'

Something that diverts attention away from what is important or relevant.

Distractor is usually formal, academic, technical in register.

Distractor: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈstræk.tər/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈstræk.tɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.