limerence

or li·mer·ance

[ li-mer-uhns ]

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.

Origin of limerence

1
Arbitrary coinage by Dorothy Tennov, U.S. psychologist (1928-2007) in her book Love and Limerence: The Experience of Being in Love

Other words from limerence

  • li·mer·ent, adjective, noun

Words Nearby limerence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for limerence

limerence

/ (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

Origin of limerence

1
C20: coined by Dorothy Tennov (1928–2007), American psychologist

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012