disturb

Everyday

1. To disturb someone means to interrupt them when they are busy, resting or sleeping. tree →
2. To disturb something means to move it or change its position or order. tree →
3. To disturb someone can mean to make them worried or upset. tree →
4. Disturbing describes something that makes you upset or uneasy. tree →
5. To disturb yourself means to get up or bother yourself to do something. tree →

In the lessons

Everyday and manners: «Do not disturb» signs on doors; knock and wait if someone is busy; be quiet in the library so you don't disturb others. In nature and safety: do not disturb nesting birds, wild animals or rock pool creatures, and put rocks back where you found them. In stories a disturbing event shows something is wrong. Phrases: «sorry to disturb you», «do not disturb», «disturb the peace».

Examples

• Sorry to disturb you, but may I ask a question? tree →
• Please don't disturb the baby; she's asleep. tree →
• The sign on the door said «Do not disturb». tree →
• Don't disturb birds when they are nesting. tree →
• Put the rock back gently so you don't disturb the crabs. tree →
• The noise from the road disturbed my sleep. tree →
• The film had some disturbing scenes. tree →
• Someone had disturbed the papers on my desk. tree →
• Nothing disturbs the peaceful sleep of the dead. tree →

Note

Past: «disturbed». Noun: «disturbance». Adjectives: «disturbed» (upset) and «disturbing» (upsetting). «Disturb» ends in «-urb» like «suburb».