Definition of “disturb” - English Dictionary

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“disturb” in English

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disturbverb [ T ]

uk ​ /dɪˈstɜːb/ us ​ /dɪˈstɝːb/

disturb verb [ T ] (INTERRUPT)

B2 to interrupt what someone is doing:

Please don't disturb your sister - she's trying to do her homework.
I'm sorry to disturb you so late, but my car's broken down and I don't have my phone with me.
disturb the peace

› to break the law by behaving unpleasantly and noisily in public:

Several fans were arrested and charged with disturbing the peace after the game.

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(Definition of “disturb” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“disturb” in American English

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disturbverb [ T ]

us ​ /dɪˈstɜrb/

disturb verb [ T ] (INTERRUPT)

› to cause someone to stop what the person is doing, or to interrupt an activity:

Please don’t disturb Jimmy – he’s trying to do his homework.

disturb verb [ T ] (WORRY)

› to cause someone to feel troubled or upset:

This year’s election campaign has disturbed a lot of voters who don’t like either candidate.

disturb verb [ T ] (MOVE)

› to move or change something from its usual position or arrangement:

Be careful not to disturb anything.
disturbing
adjective us ​ /dɪˈstɜr·bɪŋ/

›

[ + to infinitive ] It’s deeply disturbing to see intelligent and educated people make fun of us.

(Definition of “disturb” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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