infatuation

Infatuation is the state of being infatuated—being absorbed with an extreme passion for someone or something, especially in a way that makes you foolish or unreasonable about it.

Infatuation is often used to refer to the state of someone who has fallen in love with a person without really knowing them. But it can refer to any obsessive or passionate focus, such as on an activity or goal. A person who’s affected this way can be described as infatuated.

The word infatuation can also refer to the object of this focus, as in Who’s that you’re staring at—your latest infatuation? Someone or something considered an infatuation can be described as infatuating.

Much less commonly, infatuation can refer to the act of infatuating.

Example: Your infatuation with him is clouding your judgment.

The first records of the word infatuation come from the mid-1600s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb infatuāre, from fatuus, meaning “fatuous” or “foolish.”

When it’s used in the context of a romantic interest, an infatuation is often like an intense crush—one that consumes your every thought. The word is often used in a critical way that implies that such an interest is foolish or impulsive, as in That’s not love—it’s infatuation. Describing someone as infatuated implies the same thing—that they’re not thinking straight.

Still, attraction to someone often begins with infatuation, and the same can be said for hobbies that you develop a passion for. In this context, infatuation isn’t usually used negatively. It simply refers to a consuming passion or fascination with something, especially one that’s in its beginning stages, as in My kids go through a lot of interests, and their current infatuation is robotics.

What are some other forms related to infatuation? 

• infatuate (verb)

What are some synonyms for infatuation?

• obsession
• passion
• fascination
• crush

What are some words that share a root or word element with infatuation? 

• infatuated
• infatuating
• fatuous

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

• love
• desire
• foolish
• interest
• object
• newest
• latest

When used in the context of a romantic interest, infatuation is usually used negatively. When it refers to a passion or fascination with an activity or hobby, it’s usually used more positively.

my infatuation is translating to another form of what you call it? love

— Tyler, The Creator (@tylerthecreator) July 22, 2017

“Infatuation is impulsive while love is patient..” 💙

— KEIKO NECESARIO-CUBIL (@KeikoSoundsLike) November 20, 2019

Infatuation does not last long

— Christina Cimorelli (@ChristinaCIM) November 20, 2014

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of infatuation?

A. obsession
B. disgust
C. fascination
D. passion