Limerence
Noun
- A state of being infatuated or obsessed with another person, typically characterized by a strong desire for reciprocation of one’s feelings but not primarily for a sexual relationship.
Example Sentences
“What she felt wasn’t love so much as limerence — intense, distracting, and exhausting.”
“The early weeks of the new relationship were fueled by limerence, not long-term compatibility.”
“Once the limerence faded, they finally saw each other clearly.”
Word Origin
English, 1970s
Why this word?
If you’ve ever had an intense crush that felt so overwhelming you couldn’t concentrate on anything else, you’ve experienced limerence. This word was coined in the 1970s to encompass a feeling of infatuation or obsession with another person. The word doesn’t seem to be rooted in any other language; “limer” is an arbitrary syllable, and the suffix “-ence” is used to form nouns that denote a quality or action.
top picks in Inbox Studio network
Word Daily is part of Inbox Studio, which publishes content that uplifts, informs, and inspires.
-
More brands you’ll love
Elevate Your Everyday
More brands you’ll loveElevate Your Everyday
Subscribe to Better Report to receive tips and tricks that will save you money, maximize your time, and improve your life.
Subscribe to Better Report
By clicking “Subscribe” you’re agreeing to Better Report Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
