intoxicating
UK: ɪnˈtɒksɪkeɪtɪŋ | US: ɪnˈtɑːksɪkeɪtɪŋ
adj. causing a feeling of excitement, euphoria, or altered perception (often likened to drunkenness)
adj. (literal) containing or producing poison; toxic
v. (present participle of intoxicate) making someone lose control of their faculties, typically through alcohol or drugs
intoxicating = in<into> + toxic<poison> + ating<verb suffix forming present participle>
- in (Latin in-): "into, in" (indicating inward action)
- toxic (Latin toxicum): "poison" (originally from Greek toxikon pharmakon, "poison for arrows")
- ating (Latin -are + English -ing): verb suffix marking present participle
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to the Latin intoxicare, meaning "to smear with poison" (from in- + toxicum). Originally tied to literal poisoning (e.g., arrow toxins), it later shifted metaphorically to describe the effects of alcohol/drugs. By the 16th century, "intoxicating" expanded to denote overwhelming excitement or euphoria, preserving the core idea of "losing control."
The scent of jasmine was utterly intoxicating under the summer moon.
Critics praised the film’s intoxicating blend of music and visuals.
In ancient times, warriors used intoxicating plants to numb pain.
Her laughter had an intoxicating effect on everyone in the room.
The chemist warned against inhaling the intoxicating fumes.