intoxicate
Americanverb (used with object)
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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.
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to make enthusiastic; elate strongly, as by intoxicants; exhilarate.
The prospect of success intoxicated him.
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Pathology. to poison.
verb (used without object)
adjective
verb
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(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
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to stimulate, excite, or elate so as to overwhelm
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(of a drug) to poison
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of intoxicate
1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin intoxicātus, past participle of intoxicāre to poison. See in- 2, toxic, -ate 1
Explanation
Alcohol's effect on most people, especially when they drink too much of it, is to intoxicate them. If you're not used to drinking, a glass of Champagne may intoxicate you. Beer, wine, and hard liquor can all intoxicate those who drink them. It's worth noting that in the fifteenth century, intoxicate meant "to poison." A less poisonous way to intoxicate is to "fill with delight or happiness." A gorgeous summer day might intoxicate you, or winning first prize in poetry contest.
Vocabulary lists containing intoxicate
"Dr. Heidegger's Experiment" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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The Wind in the Willows
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Norse Mythology
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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.
Drawing breath for speech seems to intoxicate him.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2023
In other words, it seems to intoxicate them in a way that makes them vulnerable.
From Salon • Aug. 18, 2022
These aren’t pleasant feelings, but any strong and pure distillation, even of fear, can intoxicate us.
From Washington Post • Aug. 28, 2020
But it’s clear that the romance of the craft can intoxicate, and that we might want to watch out for that.
From Slate • Oct. 16, 2019
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring; There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again.’
From "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury
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.
