intoxicate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
intoxicates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
intoxicated,
past participle, past
-
intoxicating
present participle
-
to affect temporarily with diminished physical and mental control by means of alcoholic liquor, a drug, or another substance, especially to excite or stupefy with liquor.
-
to make enthusiastic; elate strongly, as by intoxicants; exhilarate.
The prospect of success intoxicated him.
-
Pathology. to poison.
verb (used without object)
-
intoxicates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
intoxicated,
past participle, past
-
intoxicating
present participle
adjective
verb
-
(of an alcoholic drink) to produce in (a person) a state ranging from euphoria to stupor, usually accompanied by loss of inhibitions and control; make drunk; inebriate
-
to stimulate, excite, or elate so as to overwhelm
-
(of a drug) to poison
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
intoxicatesimple
-
intoxicatessimple
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have intoxicatedperfect
-
has intoxicatedperfect
-
am intoxicatingprogressive
-
are intoxicatingprogressive
-
is intoxicatingprogressive
-
have been intoxicatingperfect progressive
-
has been intoxicatingperfect progressive
Past
-
intoxicatedsimple
-
had intoxicatedperfect
-
was intoxicatingprogressive
-
were intoxicatingprogressive
-
had been intoxicatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of intoxicate
1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin intoxicātus, past participle of intoxicāre to poison. See in- 2, toxic, -ate 1
Explanation
Alcohol's effect on most people, especially when they drink too much of it, is to intoxicate them. If you're not used to drinking, a glass of Champagne may intoxicate you. Beer, wine, and hard liquor can all intoxicate those who drink them. It's worth noting that in the fifteenth century, intoxicate meant "to poison." A less poisonous way to intoxicate is to "fill with delight or happiness." A gorgeous summer day might intoxicate you, or winning first prize in poetry contest.
Vocabulary lists containing intoxicate
"Dr. Heidegger's Experiment" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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The Wind in the Willows
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Norse Mythology
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Many of Mr. Coppola’s recollections are sensory: roasted peppers, his grandma’s sizzling meatballs, a neighbor’s homemade wine sweetened with peaches—“smells and tastes that intoxicate me to this day.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
Drawing breath for speech seems to intoxicate him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2023
In other words, it seems to intoxicate them in a way that makes them vulnerable.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2022
These aren’t pleasant feelings, but any strong and pure distillation, even of fear, can intoxicate us.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 28, 2020
The tropics will intoxicate you with the sweetness of frangipani flowers and lay you down with the sting of a viper, with hardly room to breathe in between.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
I quickly discovered an excitement and energy to L.A. that doesn’t exist in Orange County and can’t be replicated elsewhere, that intoxicates you and makes you wonder what took you so long to get it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2023
His farcical mission is mostly true and just the sort of crowd-pleaser about lunkhead enlightenment that intoxicates the director Peter Farrelly in the wake of his Oscar for “Green Book.”
From New York Times ● Sep. 22, 2022
The sweet smell of success intoxicates those who feel robbed of it.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 1, 2016
Sketching children at a street fair for pennies, she meets Walter, a flirtatious sort who intoxicates her with stories of studying art in Paris.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 24, 2014
In the T-strap shoes of Long Island debutantes, the sparkling fringes of daring short skirts that swish and glide to music that intoxicates them more than the champagne.
From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison
According to the Associated Press, 19 states say that an intoxicated person is only considered incapacitated — and therefore unable to consent — if they were given drugs or alcohol without knowing.
From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026
Newsom also signed AB 1685, which would increase the number of points against a driver’s record if they’re convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and with gross negligence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026
The children's commissioner for England is warning that kids in the UK are "becoming intoxicated by extremism" on social media, the Times reports.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Organizers say they occasionally draw people who are intoxicated, having a bad day, or simply looking for someone to vent at.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
They are both intoxicated with happiness, Mother with a relaxed smile, Dad with a grin so large it pokes out from under the corners of his mustache.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
In the tents erected in Munich for Oktoberfest, the atmosphere can be intoxicating enough without the alcohol.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
These people have tangible passion and intoxicating energy for what they do.
From Salon ● Aug. 6, 2026
Whatnot struck gold by creating the perfect cocktail of the most intoxicating elements of 21st-century digital life.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
The cricket was exhilarating, the atmosphere intoxicating and results - for a short while - sensational.
From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026
As the other boys laughed, Fadi joined in, a feeling of elation intoxicating him.
From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
