Disturb Meaning
/dɪˈstɜːb/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbto confuse a quiet, constant state or a calm, continuous flow, in particular: thoughts, actions or liquids.
verbto divert, redirect, or alter by disturbing.
Sentence Examples
I'll do my best not to disturb your studying.
It will disturb you in your studies.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The loud construction noise began to ____ the elderly residents of the nursing home.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I'll do my best not to ____ your studying.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English destourben, from Anglo-Norman distourber and Old French destorber, from Latin disturbare, intensifying for turbare (“to throw into disorder”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)twerH-, *(s)turH- (“to rotate, swirl, twirl, move around”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"disturb his inmost counsels from their destined aim"
— 1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"Instant without disturb they took alarm"
— 1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The loud construction noise began to ____ the elderly residents of the nursing home.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I'll do my best not to ____ your studying.