infatuate

To infatuate someone means to fill them with a very strong attraction or admiration that is often short-lived. It is more than just liking someone; it is the kind of feeling that can take over your thoughts. Think of Romeo and Juliet: they are a famous example of people being infatuated.

The word suggests that you are not thinking clearly. You may see only the best in the person or thing and ignore the flaws. People are usually infatuated with a person, but the word can also be used for an idea or even a place. It often describes feelings that are intense but not deeply based on reality. Unlike long-term love, infatuation does not require knowing someone well. It can happen almost at first sight, and it often fades with time.

Infatuate is a verb that describes the act of inspiring an unreasonable or foolish passion in someone. In everyday English, we most often encounter it in its passive form: "to be infatuated." It is a powerful emotional state characterized by intense attraction, admiration, and often, total idealization. While similar to love, infatuation is typically more fleeting, less rational, and focused on surface qualities rather than a deep, tested connection.

Think of a teenager seeing their favorite celebrity—they might be completely infatuated, dreaming about them constantly and overlooking any human flaws. Or imagine someone falling instantly for a charming stranger on vacation; that's infatuation at work. It is often described as being "smitten" or having a "crush," but with a higher level of intensity that clouds one's judgment.

The word implies a loss of objectivity—you might exaggerate the positive qualities of the person or thing you are infatuated with and ignore any potential drawbacks. It can also be used to describe someone causing this feeling in another: "His charisma completely infatuated her."

Historically, "infatuate" comes from the Latin root fatuus, meaning "foolish." It literally means to make someone a fool. While infatuation can be a delightful and exciting experience, it is important to remember that it is usually a temporary state and doesn't always lead to lasting commitment. It is a whirlwind of emotion—a captivating but potentially misleading force.