Characterized by a lack of attention; not paying attention; heedless. A disattentive person or animal is easily distracted and may appear absentminded, forgetful, or uninterested in their surroundings or the task at hand. This can manifest in various situations, from classroom settings where students struggle to focus, to social interactions where individuals seem to be lost in their own thoughts, missing crucial details or cues. The level of disattentiveness can range from mild lapses to severe inattentiveness, impacting comprehension, performance, and relationships.
Disattentive meaning with examples
- During the lecture, several students were disattentive, doodling in their notebooks or checking their phones instead of taking notes. Their lack of focus led to them struggling to answer questions on the quiz later, demonstrating the consequences of disengagement. The professor sighed, wishing they had stayed more focused.
- The child was disattentive during the story time, constantly fidgeting and looking around the room, despite the captivating illustrations. Their parent gently reminded them to pay attention, explaining how important it was to show respect for the author and the story. Eventually, the child started to listen more closely.
- The employee was disattentive in the meeting, staring out the window and failing to take any notes. His boss observed his behavior and noted this as a lack of respect, realizing that he had not contributed to the conversation. She scheduled a performance review to address the disattentive behavior.
- The audience seemed disattentive during the performance, with many people chatting and looking around. The actors felt that they were losing their attention. The performers attempted to regain their audience's attention, but they knew the impact would be lessened by the prior distraction.