dis ‧ turb W3 /dɪˈstɜːb $ -ɜːrb/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ disturbed ≠ ↑ undisturbed , ↑ disturbing ; verb : ↑ disturb ; noun : ↑ disturbance ; adverb : ↑ disturbingly ]
[ Date: 1100-1200 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: destourber , from Latin turbare 'to put into disorder' ]
1 . INTERRUPT to interrupt someone so that they cannot continue what they are doing:
Sorry to disturb you, but I have an urgent message.
The thieves fled when they were disturbed by a neighbour.
Do not disturb (=a sign you put on a door so that people will not interrupt you) .
2 . WORRY to make someone feel worried or upset:
What disturbs you most about this latest development?
3 . MOVE to move something or change its position:
If you find a bird’s nest, never disturb the eggs.
I promise not to disturb anything.
4 . CHANGE to change a normal situation in a way that causes problems:
My hormone balance is disturbed by my pregnancy.
New procedures often disturb the comfortable habits of the workforce.
5 . disturb the peace law to behave in a noisy and unpleasant way in public
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COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ disturb somebody's sleep
Local people said their sleep was being disturbed by the noise from the aircraft.
▪ disturb somebody's concentration
I couldn't work with the kids around disturbing my concentration.
▪ disturb somebody's thoughts
A gentle knock on the door disturbed his thoughts.
■ phrases
▪ sorry to disturb you spoken (=said to apologize for interrupting what someone is doing)
Sorry to disturb you, but could you sign this letter, please?
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THESAURUS
■ when someone is doing something
▪ interrupt [intransitive and transitive] to stop someone from continuing to do something:
Miss Danziger apologised for interrupting their enjoyment of their meal.
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My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.
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His interview was interrupted by a call from the President.
▪ disturb to interrupt someone when they are trying to work, sleep etc:
The sign on the door said ‘Do not disturb. Meeting in progress’.
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I hope I’m not disturbing you. Do you want me to come back later?
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Her sleep was disturbed by a violent hammering on the door.
▪ bother to interrupt someone, especially by asking questions when they are trying to do something else:
‘I’m very sorry to bother you,’ Jackson said smoothly, ‘but I’d like a few minutes of your time.’
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You mustn’t bother him - he’s working on his essay.