fixate

[ fik-seyt ]

verb (used without object)

, fix·at·ed, fix·at·ing.

1. to obsessively concentrate one's attention (usually followed by on ):

   Take something away from someone completely and they may fixate on it.

2. Psychoanalysis. to develop a fixation; suffer an arrest in one's emotional or sexual development:

   The patient fixates in an incestuous libido cycle, seeking to reconnect with an earlier aspect of her history.

3. to stabilize or become fixed.
4. to focus the eyes on an object or point.

verb (used with object)

, fix·at·ed, fix·at·ing.

1. to obsessively concentrate one's attention on.
2. Psychoanalysis. to cause (one's psychosexual development) to be arrested at an early point in life.
3. to make stable or stationary; fix:

   Using cement to fixate the cap on the head of the femur, while initially adding stability, has a chance of loosening in subsequent years.

4. 1. to focus (the eyes) on an object or point:

      The eye muscles ordinarily fixate the two eyes on a single target.

   2. to focus the eyes on (an object).

fixate

/ ˈfɪkseɪt /

verb

1. to become or cause to become fixed
2. to direct the eye or eyes at a point in space so that the image of the point falls on the centre (fovea) of the eye or eyes
3. psychol to engage in fixation
4. informal.
   tr; usually passive to obsess or preoccupy

Word History and Origins

Origin of fixate¹

First recorded in 1880–85; from Latin fix(us) “fixed, firm” ( fix ) + -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fixate¹

C19: from Latin fixus fixed + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Nakedness appears to be something Smyth was fixated on at his camps.

From BBC

And it’s natural that many of them then will fixate on the worst-case scenarios and live their lives with a sense of worry and dread.

From Los Angeles Times

I insisted then that if liberals keep fixating on racism and ethno-racial identity politics, “we’ll keep on losing and losing and losing.”

From Salon

In place of velvet and luxuriant lushness, there was fixating intensity and raw power.

From Los Angeles Times

As decision day draws near, many Americans become fixated on their hyperactive social media feeds.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• haunt
• infatuate
• obsess