limerence

American  

[li-mer-uhns] / ˈlɪ mɛr əns /

Or limerance

noun

1. the state of being obsessively infatuated with someone, usually accompanied by delusions of or a desire for an intense romantic relationship with that person.

   Her limerence lasted for around three months before she actually met him.

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limerence British  

/ ˈlɪmɪrəns /

noun

1. psychol a state of mind resulting from romantic attraction, characterized by feelings of euphoria, the desire to have one's feelings reciprocated, etc

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Usage

What is limerence? Limerence is a state of deep infatuation or romantic desire for someone, as in Rudy’s feelings for the pop star were limerence, not love, because he didn’t even know the star. Someone who is experiencing limerence is usually obsessive or intensely infatuated with someone else. Often, the object of a person’s limerence does not share the feelings and, as a result, the person may experience delusions or unreasonable desire for a romantic relationship with the person they feel limerence toward. Example: The limerence they experienced was palpable in the room.

Other Word Forms

• limerent
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of limerence

Arbitrary coinage by Dorothy Tennov, U.S. psychologist (1928-2007) in her book Love and Limerence: The Experience of Being in Love

Example Sentences

Scotland's Jacob Alon, meanwhile, is recognised for the heartbreaking gossamer ballads of their debut album, In Limerence.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

In Limerence has earned the singer-songwriter rave reviews – as well as comparisons to Jeff Buckley and Adrianne Lenker – but the best response came from his mother.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

Blanco opted for a $750 white robe by Los Angeles-based designer Limerence.

From Fox News • Mar. 21, 2019

This is a brand-new word made up by a University of Bridgeport psychologist, Dorothy Tennov, in her new book on romance, Love and Limerence.

From Time Magazine Archive

Limerence She says, from the French word limier.

From "Booked" by Kwame Alexander