preoccupied preoccupied /priːˈɑːkjəˌpaɪd/

adjective

1. () Having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something  ( haunted , obsessed , preoccupied , taken up )
   having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something
    Became more and more haunted by the stupid riddle
   became more and more haunted by the stupid riddle
    Was absolutely obsessed with the girl
   was absolutely obsessed with the girl
    Got no help from his wife who was preoccupied with the children
   got no help from his wife who was preoccupied with the children
    He was taken up in worry for the old woman
   he was taken up in worry for the old woman
   
2. () Deeply absorbed in thought  ( bemused , lost , preoccupied )
   deeply absorbed in thought
    As distant and bemused as a professor listening to the prattling of his freshman class
   as distant and bemused as a professor listening to the prattling of his freshman class
    Lost in thought
   lost in thought
    A preoccupied frown
   a preoccupied frown
   

 preoccupy preoccupy /priːˈɑːkjəˌpaɪ/

verb

1. () Engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or occupy urgently or obsessively  ( preoccupy )
   engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or occupy urgently or obsessively
    His work preoccupies him
   His work preoccupies him
    The matter preoccupies her completely--she cannot think of anything else
   The matter preoccupies her completely--she cannot think of anything else
   
2. Occupy or take possession of beforehand or before another or appropriate for use in advance  ( preoccupy )
   occupy or take possession of beforehand or before another or appropriate for use in advance
    The army preoccupied the hills
   the army preoccupied the hills