intoxicating

[in-tok-si-key-ting]

adjective

1. causing or capable of causing intoxication.

   intoxicating beverages.

2. exhilarating; exciting.

   an intoxicating idea.

intoxicating

/ ɪnˈtɒksɪˌkeɪtɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of an alcoholic drink) producing in a person a state ranging from euphoria to stupor, usually accompanied by loss of inhibitions and control; inebriating

2. stimulating, exciting, or producing great elation

Other Word Forms

• intoxicatingly adverb
• nonintoxicating adjective
• nonintoxicatingly adverb
• unintoxicating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intoxicating¹

First recorded in 1625–35; intoxicat(e) + -ing ²

Example Sentences

"The actor delivers an intoxicating mix of blood, sweat, tears, protein and total helplessness," wrote The Hollywood Reporter.

From BBC

The movie reveals itself to you, layer by layer, incident by incident, in a way that becomes downright intoxicating.

From Los Angeles Times

Ripe pineapple and candy-sweet mangoes adorned store shelves, their aroma intoxicating.

From Salon

The digital roar may be intoxicating, but agency lives in the small, steady gestures — the ones that don’t make headlines, but do make a difference.

From Salon

The glamorous fantasy of Hollywood is so intoxicating.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• exciting 
• exhilarating 
• heady 
• stimulating