Disturb
/dɪˈstɜːrb/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo interrupt the quiet or settled state of someone or something; to bother; to upset.
/dɪˈstɜːrb/
To interrupt the normal function or state of something.
Please do not disturb the sleeping baby.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to focus on your homework, and suddenly your little brother starts banging on the door. That's disturbing your concentration! It's like when something messes up a peaceful situation.
👶 For kids: To bother or mess up something that's quiet and calm, like when someone makes a loud noise while you're trying to sleep.
More Examples
The sudden noise disturbed her concentration.
The news of the accident disturbed him deeply.
Heavy rain disturbed the soil.
How It's Used
"The loud music disturbed the neighbors."
"The traumatic event greatly disturbed his mental state."
"Construction activities disturbed the natural habitat."
To upset or agitate someone's mind or emotions.
/dɪˈstɜːrb/
To cause mental or emotional upset.
The thought of failing the exam disturbed him.
💡 Simply: It’s like when you hear something sad or worrying, and it makes you feel a little down or anxious. That’s the kind of emotion that 'disturb' describes. Think of it as something that makes you feel uneasy.
👶 For kids: To make you feel worried or sad, like when you see something scary on TV.
More Examples
The tragic story disturbed the audience.
Her absence disturbed everyone.
The incident disturbed her peaceful existence.
How It's Used
"The news of the war disturbed her greatly."
"I didn't want to disturb his peace of mind."
Idioms & expressions
Don't disturb the peace
To avoid causing trouble or disrupting a peaceful situation.
"The police told the protesters to not disturb the peace."
From Middle English *distourben*, from Old French *destorber* ('to obstruct, disturb'), from Latin *disturbare* ('to throw into disorder'), from *dis-* ('apart') + *turbare* ('to disturb, confuse'), from *turba* ('turmoil, crowd').
The word 'disturb' has been used since the 14th century to describe disruption or interruption.
Memory tip
Think of a bee (dis-TURB) buzzing annoyingly around you, disrupting your peace.
Word Origin
"to disturb, confuse"