infatuation

noun

in·​fat·​u·​a·​tion in-ˌfa-chə-ˈwā-shən 

-chü-ˈā-

plural infatuations

1

: a feeling of foolish or obsessively strong love for, admiration for, or interest in someone or something : strong and unreasoning attachment

She speaks openly about the real-life subject of one of her songs, a conservatory teacher who is both a neighbor in her apartment building and the unwilling object of her obsessive infatuation.

—Sasha Frere-Jones

Craig Claiborne wrote about it in 1963, when he was deep in his infatuation with dill and meatballs and all things Nordic.

—Amanda Hesser

2

: the object of an unreasoning or foolish attachment

And then, I began trying to forge their autographs. I'm not sure why I did it at first, but it became an infatuation.

—Zach Selwyn

Synonyms

• crush
• mash
• passion

Examples of infatuation in a Sentence

had a brief infatuation with the captain of the ski team

Recent Examples on the Web

In Lee’s first encounter with Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), the gorgeous younger man who becomes the subject of his obsessive infatuation throughout the film, no words are exchanged. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024

Admittedly, some of my infatuation is due to the sleek and stylish design. —Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024

Granted, Prophecy is yet another chapter of Hollywood’s infatuation with IP, but it’s also yielded a lavish little soap opera where Emily Watson is a super-powered leader of an all-female finishing school for young intergalactic mages. —Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024

Beyond the witty lyrics and jokes, Carpenter delved into deeper themes of infatuation and heartbreak. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing infatuation

• self-infatuation