What does infatuated mean?
Infatuated describes someone who is overwhelmed by an intense attraction to another person, thing, or idea. In romantic contexts, it usually implies enthusiasm or devotion that may be irrational, excessive, or unlikely to last, as in someone being infatuated with a performer. The term can also be used more broadly for an obsessive fascination with a subject or activity, such as being infatuated with a project or historical period. Unlike ordinary words such as fond or admiring, infatuated suggests a particularly strong and sometimes temporary state of mind. It is related to the Latin infatuare, meaning to make a fool of, and its history reflects the traditional idea that intense romantic excitement can resemble a kind of folly. Although understandable in neutral contexts, the word often adds a note of emotional exaggeration or affectionate irony.
adjectiveFilled with an intense, often irrational and temporary attraction to someone or something; excessively enthusiastic or obsessed.
- Having an intense, often irrational and temporary attraction to someone or something; excessively enthusiastic or obsessed.
"She became infatuated with the young violinist after hearing him perform."
"The young couple remained infatuated with each other throughout the summer."
"He became infatuated by the idea of restoring the abandoned castle."
Infatuated comes from a word meaning to make a fool of someone: romantic excitement, in other words, has long been understood as a kind of beautiful madness.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does infatuated come from?
Infatuated comes from Latin infatuatus, the past participle of infatuare, meaning to make a fool of or render foolish. The underlying element is fatuus, meaning foolish or silliness. The word entered English in the early 17th century, initially in the sense of being made foolish or mentally confused, and later developed its modern sense of being wildly enthusiastic or obsessively attracted to someone or something. Its relatives include fatuous and fatuity, which preserve the same sense of foolishness.
Related word forms
How infatuated is actually used
The word often suggests an attachment that is unusually strong, irrational, or temporary. It can describe romantic attraction, as in being infatuated with a person, or figuratively describe an intense fascination with an activity, idea, or object.
Easily confused with infatuated
Infatuated is the adjective describing an intense attachment, while infatuate is the verb meaning to make someone excessively enthusiastic or obsessed.