limerence

or li·mer·ance

[ li-mer-uhns ]

noun

1. the state of being obsessively infatuated with someone, usually accompanied by delusions of or a desire for an intense romantic relationship with that person:

   Her limerence lasted for around three months before she actually met him.

limerence

/ ˈlɪmɪrəns /

noun

1. psychol a state of mind resulting from romantic attraction, characterized by feelings of euphoria, the desire to have one's feelings reciprocated, etc

Other Words From

• li·mer·ent adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of limerence¹

Arbitrary coinage by Dorothy Tennov, U.S. psychologist (1928-2007) in her book Love and Limerence: The Experience of Being in Love

Word History and Origins

Origin of limerence¹

C20: coined by Dorothy Tennov (1928–2007), American psychologist

More About Limerence

What is limerence?

Limerence is a state of deep infatuation or romantic desire for someone, as in Rudy’s feelings for the pop star were limerence, not love, because he didn’t even know the star.

Someone who is experiencing limerence is usually obsessive or intensely infatuated with someone else. Often, the object of a person’s limerence does not share the feelings and, as a result, the person may experience delusions or unreasonable desire for a romantic relationship with the person they feel limerence toward. 

Example: The limerence they experienced was palpable in the room.

Where does limerence come from?

The first records of the term limerence come from around the 1970s. It was arbitrarily coined by American psychologist Dr. Dorothy Tennov. In her book Love and Limerence: The Experience of Being in Love, Tennov describes that she chose the term limerence because “it was pronounceable and seemed to me and to two students to have a ‘fitting’ sound.”

According to Tennov, limerence is a third kind of desire, separate from romantic love and erotic desire. Tennov says that limerence is not better or more important than other types of desires or attractions, but it is more powerful than others in almost all cases. Limerence tends to be experienced by people who cannot frequently meet with, or talk to, the person they have these strong feelings for.

Although limerence is usually unrequited or unspoken, if feelings are reciprocated or explained, limerent behavior stops and either loving or distancing behavior begins.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to limerence?

• limerance (alternative spelling)
• limerent (adjective, noun)

What are some synonyms for limerence?

• infatuation
• obsession

What are some words that often get used in discussing limerence?

• romance
• sex
• desire
• love

How is limerence used in real life?

Limerence is most commonly used in discussions of psychology or in romantic writing such as poetry when trying to exaggerate or highlight the importance of a romantic interest.

Falling in love alias limerence is only a preambule to love. It's not love yet.

— Alissa Wahid (@AlissaWahid) June 12, 2013

If your feelings for someone intensify despite not being reciprocated, that's limerence, not love.

— Amy Chan (@missamychan) September 2, 2021

Found out about "limerence" today. WHOLE new can of worms. Those who are emotionally unstable google at your own risk

— Kelly Keegs (@kellykeegs) July 12, 2019

Updated on February 27, 2023

Try using limerence!

True or False?

Limerence is a desire for romantic love.