fixate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to obsessively concentrate one's attention (usually followed byon ).
Take something away from someone completely and they may fixate on it.
-
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.
-
to stabilize or become fixed.
-
to focus the eyes on an object or point.
verb (used with object)
-
to obsessively concentrate one's attention on.
-
Psychoanalysis. to cause (one's psychosexual development) to be arrested at an early point in life.
-
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.
-
-
to focus (the eyes) on an object or point.
The eye muscles ordinarily fixate the two eyes on a single target.
-
to focus the eyes on (an object).
-
verb
-
to become or cause to become fixed
-
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
-
psychol to engage in fixation
-
informal (tr; usually passive) to obsess or preoccupy
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
fixatesimple
-
fixatessimple
-
have fixatedperfect
-
has fixatedperfect
-
am fixatingprogressive
-
are fixatingprogressive
-
is fixatingprogressive
-
have been fixatingperfect progressive
-
has been fixatingperfect progressive
Past
-
fixatedsimple
-
had fixatedperfect
-
was fixatingprogressive
-
were fixatingprogressive
-
had been fixatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of fixate
First recorded in 1880–85; from Latin fix(us) “fixed, firm” ( see fix) + -ate 1
Explanation
If you fixate on something, you become overly focused on it or attached to it. Don't fixate on your grades — try to enjoy the process of learning! While the original 19th century meaning of fixate was "make stable," it soon came to mean "gaze upon." It was Sigmund Freud who shifted the definition to something more obsessive. His theories of psychoanalysis included the concept of fixation, an unhealthy attachment to something or someone — and fixate followed. You can fixate on small things (like a stain on your sweater) or big things (like world poverty).
Vocabulary lists containing fixate
Pride
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Prince and the Dressmaker
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
As Brave as You
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But rather than fixate on that, might we suggest a few reads about all the joys available to us in this world?
From Slate ● Jul. 1, 2026
McGinn himself was in no doubt that he was fouled by Neil El Aynaoui, but insists Scotland cannot fixate on refereeing calls.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026
Stefan Angrick, of Moody’s Analytics, suggests investors are wrong to fixate on the headline figure of 18.3 trillion yen for the extra budget.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 8, 2025
For now, those worried about a potential AI bubble fixate on soaring equity valuations, focused primarily on rich asset prices.
From Barron's ● Dec. 3, 2025
I would look at them, really fixate on them, and for a little while I could pretend I was home.”
From "Amal Unbound" by Aisha Saeed
As a head coach who fixates on squad togetherness, was there a worry that having such a high-profile player on the margins might lead Alexander-Arnold to provide an unintentional distraction and focus of attention?
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026
He fixates on bright, blinding objects while turning away from self-reflection.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026
Her performance in “Vladimir” completely eschewed vanity and instead fixates on what makes this woman go off the rails.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2026
Here I'm speaking of those who really embrace white nationalism, which fixates obsessively on Jews in well-documented and terribly dangerous ways.
From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2023
Cain’s whole body goes still as he fixates on Zak.
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
Grabbing mighty scissors, he cuts and rejiggers Homer and a bit of Virgil to transform these classical texts into his type of tale: one fixated on memory, self-identity, destructive genius and the slippage of time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
As in “Curb,” though, he just as frequently positions himself as the logician surrounded by dupes fixated on useless details or idealists high on hopium.
From Salon ● Jun. 26, 2026
But her "deep concern and understanding" for mothers depicted in the official records is in stark contrast to testimony the BBC has heard, describing her as cruel and fixated on punishment.
From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026
But it’s possible to become overly fixated on audits, Sepp said.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 5, 2026
A few are nodding approval, but the majority of them are fixated on a roast pig that has just arrived at their banquet table.
From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
Like I said, it’s OK to look back and wish you had done some things differently, but fixating on the past isn’t always helpful.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
But perhaps there is something in the idea of, instead of fixating on the rollercoaster of symptoms, considering the bigger picture.
From BBC ● Jan. 22, 2026
He advises students and job seekers to focus on trends instead of fixating on raw numbers that are prone to revisions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2025
Jackson charged Gorsuch with disregarding “the clear design of the ADA” by fixating on “one isolated provision” and detaching it “from its place in the overall scheme.”
From Slate ● Jun. 23, 2025
Dill studied the carpet for a moment, fixating on the discolored patch that sometimes caught his eye while he sat playing his guitar.
From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
