First Known Use: 1567
Dictionary
preoccupy
verb pre·oc·cu·py \-ˌpī\
: to be thought about or worried about by (someone) very often or constantly
Full Definition of PREOCCUPY
transitive verb
1
: to engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or preferentially
2
: to take possession of or fill beforehand or before another
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Origin of PREOCCUPY
Latin praeoccupare, literally, to seize in advance, from prae- + occupare to seize, occupy
Rhymes with PREOCCUPY
acetify, acidify, ammonify, aniline dye, a priori, beatify, bourgeoisify, commodify, complexify, decalcify, decertify, declassify, demystify, denazify, desanctify, desertify, detoxify, Dioscuri, disqualify, dissatisfy, diversify, electric eye, electrify, emulsify, esterify, exemplify, facetiae, Gorno-Altay, hang out to dry, Helvetii, humidify, identify, indemnify, intensify, money supply, objectify, personify, reliquiae, revivify, rigidify, sacrifice fly, saponify, see eye to eye, solemnify, solidify, syllabify, transmogrify, turn a blind eye, undersupply, vox populi, water supply
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