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infatuation
[ in-fach-oo-ey-shuhn ]
noun
- the state of being infatuated.
- the act of infatuating.
- foolish or all-absorbing passion or an instance of this:
a mere infatuation that will not last.
- the object of a person's infatuation:
When I was a kid, my infatuation was stamp collecting.
infatuation
/ ɪnˌfætjʊˈeɪʃən /
noun
- the act of infatuating or state of being infatuated
- foolish or extravagant passion
- an object of foolish or extravagant passion
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Word History and Origins
Origin of infatuation1
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Example Sentences
The ad tech vendors that rebuilt themselves as transparent businesses after the ad industry’s infatuation with ad tech fees in 2018 have recently reinvented themselves as companies for marketers, not just publishers.
Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll made no secret about his infatuation with passing this season.
Grantham cites the fleeting embrace of Kodak, Hertz, and Nikola, and especially enduring infatuation with Tesla, as hallmarks of a market gone loco.
Even though I had moved to New York City, a place surrounded by water—and even, I heard, decent surf breaks—my infatuation remained theoretical, my relationship platonic.
President Wilson’s idealism, a brief outburst of radicalism, and an infatuation with prohibition quickly gave way to a decade-long desire to party.
The German infatuation with Atatürk and Turkey waned after the Beerhall Putsch.
Her love of learning was clearly as intense as her love for any man or woman, and it was this infatuation that dominated her life.
Many view it as a man drawn to his doom by his infatuation for a younger woman, and youth in general.
Sure, they share certain characteristics: the adult themes, the infatuation with antiheroes, the cinematic art direction.
The 1970s were an open revolt against the idea of the dutiful pair bond, in favor of a life of perpetual infatuation.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, was filled with alarms respecting her daughter's unhappy infatuation.
He had at once plunged74 himself in difficulties with his barons by his infatuation for Piers de Gaveston.
When one considers a phenomenon of such range and intensity, it does not suffice to employ words like infatuation, fashion, mania.
There were others of the same infatuation, whom, because they are Roman citizens, I have noted down to be sent to the city (Rome).
This infatuation is the more extraordinary because few of the adventurers knew to what place they were going.
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Related Words
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More About Infatuation
What does infatuation mean?
Infatuation is the state of being infatuated—being absorbed with an extreme passion for someone or something, especially in a way that makes you foolish or unreasonable about it.
Infatuation is often used to refer to the state of someone who has fallen in love with a person without really knowing them. But it can refer to any obsessive or passionate focus, such as on an activity or goal. A person who’s affected this way can be described as infatuated.
The word infatuation can also refer to the object of this focus, as in Who’s that you’re staring at—your latest infatuation? Someone or something considered an infatuation can be described as infatuating.
Much less commonly, infatuation can refer to the act of infatuating.
Example: Your infatuation with him is clouding your judgment.
Where does infatuation come from?
The first records of the word infatuation come from the mid-1600s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb infatuāre, from fatuus, meaning “fatuous” or “foolish.”
When it’s used in the context of a romantic interest, an infatuation is often like an intense crush—one that consumes your every thought. The word is often used in a critical way that implies that such an interest is foolish or impulsive, as in That’s not love—it’s infatuation. Describing someone as infatuated implies the same thing—that they’re not thinking straight.
Still, attraction to someone often begins with infatuation, and the same can be said for hobbies that you develop a passion for. In this context, infatuation isn’t usually used negatively. It simply refers to a consuming passion or fascination with something, especially one that’s in its beginning stages, as in My kids go through a lot of interests, and their current infatuation is robotics.
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What are some other forms related to infatuation?
- infatuate (verb)
What are some synonyms for infatuation?
What are some words that share a root or word element with infatuation?
- infatuated
- infatuating
- fatuous
What are some words that often get used in discussing infatuation?
How is infatuation used in real life?
When used in the context of a romantic interest, infatuation is usually used negatively. When it refers to a passion or fascination with an activity or hobby, it’s usually used more positively.
my infatuation is translating to another form of what you call it? love
— Tyler, The Creator (@tylerthecreator) July 22, 2017
“Infatuation is impulsive while love is patient..” 💙
— KEIKO NECESARIO-CUBIL (@KeikoSoundsLike) November 20, 2019
Infatuation does not last long
— Christina Cimorelli (@ChristinaCIM) November 20, 2014
Try using infatuation!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of infatuation?
A. obsession
B. disgust
C. fascination
D. passion
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