What is disturb? Pronunciation and usage in English

disturb means . Learn how to pronounce and use disturb through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of disturb

disturbverb

/dɪˈstəːb/
Definition & pronunciation of disturb

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "disturb." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound:

  • "dis-": This part is pretty straightforward. It sounds like "dis" as in "disappointment."
  • "turb": This is the trickiest part. It's a blend of sounds. Think of it as:
    • "tur": Like the beginning of the word "turn."
    • "b": A very short, almost silent "b" sound. It's blended into the "tur" sound.

2. Putting it Together:

The entire word is pronounced roughly like: "dis-tuhrb"

Let's break that down further:

  • "tuh": This is a short "uh" sound, as in "cup" or "sun." It's the primary vowel sound.
  • "rb": A very quick, almost blended "r" sound. Don't linger on the "r."

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Don't say "dis-terb." That's a common mistake! The "ter" is not in the word.
  • Short "uh" sound: Remember that "tuh" sound – it’s not long like "tune."
  • Quick "r": The "r" is light and barely noticeable.

Resources for Hearing and Practicing:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/disturb/ - This website has audio recordings of native speakers pronouncing the word. Listen carefully and try to mimic the sounds.
  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce disturb" on YouTube. You’ll find many videos with clear pronunciation guides.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you learning English as a first language, or are you an English language learner?

Usage and examples with the word disturb in English

Let's break down how to use the word "disturb" in English. It's a versatile word with several related meanings, but it generally revolves around interrupting something or causing unease.

1. As a Verb (Most Common Usage)

  • To interrupt or bother someone: This is the most frequent way "disturb" is used. It means to break someone’s concentration, peace, or quiet.

    • Example: "Please don't disturb me while I'm working."
    • Example: "The loud music was disturbing the neighbors."
    • Example: "She tried to disturb his thoughts about the past."

  • To disrupt or interrupt something (activity, process, order): It means to break the smooth functioning of something.

    • Example: "The storm disturbed the traffic flow."
    • Example: "The unexpected question disturbed the flow of the meeting."
    • Example: "The sudden change in weather disturbed his plans."

2. As a Noun (Less Common)

  • Something that interrupts or bothers: It refers to the act or thing that causes disturbance.
    • Example: "He apologized for the disturbance he caused."
    • Example: "The dog was a constant disturbance.” (meaning a nuisance)

3. Nuances and Subtle Differences

  • "Disturb" implies a stronger sense of interruption than "bother." “Bother” is milder – it suggests annoyance or inconvenience. “Disturb” suggests a more significant break in something.

  • "Disturb" often carries a negative connotation. It’s usually used when something is unwanted or unwelcome.

  • "Disturbing" (adjective): This is the adjective form, often used to describe something unsettling, shocking, or upsetting. It’s frequently used to describe experiences or images.

    • Example: "The film was deeply disturbing."
    • Example: "He had a disturbing dream."

Here's a table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To interrupt/bother someone "Don't disturb me while I study."
Verb To disrupt/interrupt something "The rain disturbed the game."
Noun The act of interrupting/bothering "Her constant complaining was a disturbance."
Adjective Unsettling, shocking, upsetting "That was a disturbing story."

Tips for Choosing the Right Word

  • Consider the context: What are you trying to express? Are you talking about a person’s peace of mind, or the smooth functioning of something?

  • Think about the intensity: Is it a minor annoyance, or a major disruption? “Bother” might be better for a slight inconvenience, while “disturb” is appropriate for something more serious.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use “disturb” in different sentences?
  • Help you differentiate between “disturb” and similar words like “bother,” “interrupt,” or “disrupt”?
  • Provide some practice sentences for you to try?

Synonyms for the word disturb

Practice with vocabulary disturb

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Please do not _______ the focus group participants while they are completing the survey.
  2. The sudden network outage might _______ our online meeting scheduled for this afternoon.
  3. The news of the scandal began to deeply _______ the CEO, causing him considerable stress.
  4. The constant chattering from the next cubicle continued to _______ the engineers attempting to concentrate.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following words can correctly complete the sentence: "Please do not ______ me during my quiet study time." a) interrupt b) disturb c) bother d) annoy

  2. The unexpected email blast caused significant ______ among the project team. a) annoyance b) disruption c) irritation d) interference

  3. Sarah was visibly ______ by the persistent rumors circulating about her work performance. a) unsettled b) troubled c) disturbed d) worried

  4. Which of these actions could ______ the delicate ecosystem of the remote island? a) disrupt b) invade c) disturb d) damage

  5. The lack of clear guidelines began to ______ the project's progress. a) distract b) impede c) hinder d) break

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Please try not to make noise while the meeting is in progress. Rewrite using "disturb" or a related word form:

  2. Original: The unexpected bad news caused a lot of worry for the entire team. Rewrite using "disturb" or a related word form:

  3. Original: His frequent interruptions during the presentation made it difficult for the speaker to maintain their flow. Rewrite without using "disturb" or any of its word forms:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. disturb
  2. disrupt
  3. disturb
  4. bother

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) interrupt, b) disturb, c) bother, d) annoy
  2. b) disruption, a) annoyance, c) irritation
  3. a) unsettled, b) troubled, c) disturbed, d) worried
  4. a) disrupt, c) disturb, d) damage
  5. b) impede, c) hinder

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Please try not to disturb the meeting while it is in progress.
  2. The unexpected bad news deeply disturbed the entire team.
  3. His frequent interruptions during the presentation disrupted the speaker's flow.

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