infatuation

[ in-fach-oo-ey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the state of being infatuated.
2. the act of infatuating.
3. foolish or all-absorbing passion or an instance of this:

   a mere infatuation that will not last.

4. the object of a person's infatuation:

   When I was a kid, my infatuation was stamp collecting.

infatuation

/ ɪnˌfætjʊˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of infatuating or state of being infatuated
2. foolish or extravagant passion
3. an object of foolish or extravagant passion

Word History and Origins

Origin of infatuation¹

First recorded in 1640–50, infatuation is from the Late Latin word infatuātiōn- (stem of infatuātiō ). See infatuate, -ion

Example Sentences

Given Alito’s infatuation with far-right European aristocrats like Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, perhaps his enthusiasm for knighthood is understandable.

From Slate

Baker remembers the leading way that 20-year-olds struck by their infatuation speak to each other when making big professions of love, with the hope that the right words will fall out of the other person’s mouth.

From Salon

Former President Barack Obama took aim at Trump's infatuation with attendance during the Democratic National Convention, using his hands to turn his remark into a somewhat risqué joke.

From Salon

First single Kiss Ur Face Forever is a grunge-pop anthem to physical infatuation, while the follow-up Little Chaos is a frantic reflection of an unsettled mind.

From BBC

America’s infatuation with incarceration isn’t just an artifact of its racist past.

From Slate

Related Words

• fascination
• obsession