infatuate
UK: ɪnˈfætʃueɪt | US: ɪnˈfætʃueɪt
vt. to inspire with foolish or shallow love or admiration
vt. to cause to behave irrationally due to intense emotion
adj. (archaic) foolish or obsessed (rarely used)
infatuate = in<into, towards> + fatu<foolish> + ate<verb suffix>
- in: Latin prefix meaning "into" or "towards," often intensifying the root.
- fatu: From Latin fatuus (foolish, silly), also seen in fatuous.
- ate: Verb-forming suffix indicating action or state.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin infatuare ("to make foolish"), combining in- (intensifier) + fatuus (foolish). Originally, it described being blinded by folly, later narrowing to obsessive love. The root fatuus also gives us fatuous, reinforcing the sense of empty-headedness. Over time, infatuate shifted from general foolishness to irrational passion, reflecting how intense emotion can cloud judgment.
The celebrity's charm infatuated her fans, who adored him blindly.
He was infatuated with the idea of becoming famous overnight.
Teenagers often infatuate over unrealistic romantic ideals.
Her infatuated behavior made her friends worry about her judgment.
The novel explores how power can infatuate even the wisest minds.