adj
Common
obsessed
uhb-SEHST
Obsessed (adj) means Completely preoccupied with one thing, to an unhealthy or extreme degree. Example: “My cousin is obsessed with trains and can name every station on the line.”
adj
1
Completely preoccupied with one thing, to an unhealthy or extreme degree.
"My cousin is obsessed with trains and can name every station on the line."
"She became obsessed with fitness after joining the gym."
"He's obsessed with that band — he owns every album twice."
How to use obsessed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo focused on one thing that you can barely think about anything else.
Memory tip
Use "obsessed with", not "obsessed about" or "obsessed on".
Common pairings
obsessed with
become obsessed
totally obsessed
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more obsessed
- Superlative
- most obsessed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My cousin is _____ with trains and can name every station on the line.
Related words
Rhymes for obsessed
blessed
dressed
pressed
assessed
stressed
recessed
depressed
professed
repressed
possessed
oppressed
impressed
See all rhymes for obsessed →
Frequently asked questions
What does “obsessed” mean?
The word “obsessed” means completely preoccupied with one thing, to an unhealthy or extreme degree. In plain terms, so focused on one thing that you can barely think about anything else.
How do you pronounce “obsessed”?
“Obsessed” is pronounced uhb-SEHST (/əbˈsɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “obsessed” in a sentence?
Here is “obsessed” used in a sentence: “She became obsessed with fitness after joining the gym.”
What part of speech is “obsessed”?
“Obsessed” is an adjective.
Is “obsessed” a common word?
“Obsessed” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between obsessed and passionate?
Passionate describes strong enthusiasm or love for something and is usually positive, while obsessed means completely preoccupied with one thing to an unhealthy or extreme degree. Calling someone passionate praises their commitment; calling them obsessed suggests the interest has taken over too much of their life.
Is it obsessed with or obsessed about?
The standard collocation is obsessed with, as in "she is obsessed with football." Obsessed by is also correct, especially for feelings that take hold of someone, as in "obsessed by jealousy." Obsessed about is heard in casual speech but is best avoided in careful writing.
Is obsessed always negative?
In its strict sense, yes: obsessed means preoccupied with one thing to an unhealthy or extreme degree. In informal modern usage, however, it is often playful exaggeration for simply loving something, as in "I'm obsessed with this song." Context and tone signal which sense is intended.
What is the difference between obsessed and addicted?
Obsessed refers to mental preoccupation: a person cannot stop thinking about one thing. Addicted refers to dependence on a substance or activity that is hard to give up. You can be obsessed with an idea or a person without any addiction being involved.
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