intoxicate

[ verb in-tok-si-keyt; adjective in-tok-suh-kit, -keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·tox·i·cat·ed, in·tox·i·cat·ing.

1. to affect temporarily with diminished physical and mental control by means of alcoholic liquor, a drug, or another substance, especially to excite or stupefy with liquor.
2. to make enthusiastic; elate strongly, as by intoxicants; exhilarate:

   The prospect of success intoxicated him.

3. Pathology. to poison.

verb (used without object)

, in·tox·i·cat·ed, in·tox·i·cat·ing.

1. to cause or produce intoxication:

   having the power to intoxicate.

adjective

1. Archaic. intoxicated.

intoxicate

/ ɪnˈtɒksɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. (of an alcoholic drink) to produce in (a person) a state ranging from euphoria to stupor, usually accompanied by loss of inhibitions and control; make drunk; inebriate
2. to stimulate, excite, or elate so as to overwhelm
3. (of a drug) to poison

Derived Forms

• inˈtoxicable, adjective
• inˈtoxiˌcator, noun
• inˈtoxiˌcative, adjective

Other Words From

• in·tox·i·ca·ble [in-, tok, -si-k, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• in·toxi·cator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intoxicate¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin intoxicātus, past participle of intoxicāre to poison. See in- ², toxic, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of intoxicate¹

C16: from Medieval Latin, from intoxicāre to poison, from Latin toxicum poison; see toxic

Example Sentences

In the intervening years, some manufacturers have found ways to make hemp products that intoxicate consumers without running afoul of the 2021 requirements.

From Los Angeles Times

A Los Gatos woman alleged to have hosted parties in which she pressured underage girls to have sex with drunken boys she helped to intoxicate was indicted by a grand jury on Monday.

From Los Angeles Times

Difficulty: 6 Super fun scale: 7 Best karaoke lines: “A man with a Midas touch / Intoxicate me, I’m a lush / Stop, you’re making me / People are looking at us”

From Los Angeles Times

One such video, which went viral in December 2021, was shared alongside claims without evidence in multiple languages that Muslim men were trying to intoxicate Hindu girls by spiking their food.

From BBC

Drawing breath for speech seems to intoxicate him.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• animate
• attract
• beguile
• bewitch
• charm
• delight
• enamor
• enchant
• engage
• engross
• enrapture
• enthrall
• entice
• excite
• infatuate
• intrigue
• mesmerize
• overwhelm
• please
• rivet