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

Despite how intoxicating the gold rush may be or how promisingly transformative blockchain technology seems, a lot of the concepts of Web3 are just that — concepts.

From Digiday

If we want to make sure people aren’t intoxicated in a workplace environment, that means looking at their performance.

From Time

Fisher later wrote in court filings that he found Orndoff in contempt because she was voluntarily intoxicated at the time of her testimony.

From Washington Post

Former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid was charged with driving while intoxicated in connection to the multiple-vehicle crash that severely injured a young girl in February, three days before the Super Bowl.

From Washington Post

In April, Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami called a Florida man a “covidiot” after the man arrived on the island intoxicated and without any proof of accommodations in an effort to get away with quarantine rules.

From Washington Post

Lest you be martyred slaves of Time, intoxicate yourselves, be drunken without cease!

From Project Gutenberg

She threw him one of those glances that intoxicate like wine.

From Project Gutenberg

The servant here observed that such a quantity of wine in the morning might intoxicate rather than benefit.

From Project Gutenberg

And no praise can say more for this marvellous man than the fact that the incense burned at his shrine did not intoxicate him.

From Project Gutenberg

This is a sample of the spiritual wine we have talked of—something to elevate and intoxicate.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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