limerence
2 synonyms for limerence, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An intense, involuntary infatuation with someone, marked by obsessive thoughts and a craving for the feeling to be returned.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
Coined by the psychologist Dorothy Tennov to name a state she distinguished from both love and ordinary attraction.
Full origin of limerence →Frequently asked questions
What is limerence?
An involuntary, obsessive infatuation — intrusive thoughts about one person, mood swinging on any sign of reciprocation, and a craving for that feeling to be returned. It was named to distinguish this state from settled love.
What is the difference between limerence and love?
Limerence is driven by uncertainty and fixation, and typically fades. Love, as usually meant, involves knowing the other person and a stable attachment. Limerence can precede love, but it can also attach to someone barely known.
