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

Mr Rollinson had told him he was too intoxicated to board the bus, which had upset him.

From BBC

“Matthew Perry’s tragic death by drowning while intoxicated illustrates that the greatest risks from ketamine are not direct effects of the drug but from using outside of medical settings or without proper monitoring.”

From Salon

Mark Cotter KC, prosecuting, told the trial Mr Crewe was "an unarmed and intoxicated man who was retreating" when the attack happened.

From BBC

And in one particularly disturbing scene, Oliver gets intoxicated, begins repeatedly hitting himself in the face and rushes toward the balcony sobbing.

From Los Angeles Times

She becomes more visible as she develops this intoxicating taste for murder because what can be more visible, more permanent than taking a person’s life?

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