intoxicating

American  

[in-tok-si-key-ting] / ɪnˈtɒk sɪˌkeɪ tɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing or capable of causing intoxication.

   intoxicating beverages.

2. exhilarating; exciting.

   an intoxicating idea.

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intoxicating British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of intoxicating

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

Example Sentences

Besson innovates with a subplot about Dracul’s foray into the world of perfume as he develops an intoxicating fragrance in Florence using French lavender, testing the potion on the pre-Revolution socialites in towering white-powdered wigs.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

This Christian-bro gym culture offers many young men an intoxicating sense of purpose, one in which the pursuit of conventional masculinity is given a kind of divine backing.

From Slate • Jan. 22, 2026

There’s the bubbling hum of rice boiling on the stove, the intoxicating aroma of warm milk infused with jaggery and fresh pods of cardamom filling the house with a scent no candle could compete with.

From Salon • Jan. 10, 2026

The dirty laundry triggered an avalanche of press coverage when the album arrived in November, but the songs have lingered as everyone remembers just how well Allen can craft an intoxicating pop hook.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

It smells like any other tree—dusty and woody —but I know that deep inside is an intoxicating scent.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Related Words

• exciting
• exhilarating
• heady
• stimulating