Word of the Day, September 22: ‘Limerence’

Word of the Day: LIMERENCE

Pronunciation: UK /ˈlɪmɪrəns/
US /ˈlɪmərɛns/

Meaning

Limerence refers to an intense state of romantic infatuation in which a person becomes highly focused on someone and strongly wants their feelings to be returned. It can involve constant thoughts about the person, emotional highs and lows based on their behaviour and a heightened sensitivity to signs of interest or rejection.

Unlike the broader idea of romantic love, limerence specifically describes the intense, often obsessive side of romantic attraction.

Examples for daily usage

• She realised that what she had felt for him was more like limerence than love.
• His limerence made him read too much into every text and casual interaction.
• The early excitement of their relationship gradually gave way to something calmer than limerence.

Origin and history

The word limerence is relatively new. It was coined by American psychologist Dorothy Tennov, who used the term in her 1979 book Love and Limerence: The Experience of Being in Love. Tennov developed the concept after interviewing people about their experiences of being intensely in love.

Interestingly, limerence does not have a traditional Latin, Greek or French root. Tennov herself described it as a coined word without a particular etymology.

Also Read: Word of the Day, September 21: Kleptomania

Cultural significance and modern usage

The idea became useful for describing an experience that did not fit neatly into the simple categories of love or infatuation. Someone experiencing limerence may become especially concerned with whether the other person feels the same way.

The term has since appeared in discussions of romantic relationships, psychology and popular culture. It is also increasingly used online to describe intense crushes, unrequited feelings and situations in which uncertainty keeps romantic feelings alive.

However, limerence is not itself a formal psychiatric diagnosis. 

Interesting facts

The person who is the focus of limerent feelings is sometimes called the limerent object, or LO.

Limerence can involve both pleasant and unpleasant emotions, including excitement, hope, anxiety and disappointment.

The adjective limerent is used to describe a person or state connected with limerence.

Examples from literature

• “There are few experiences to match the emotional and physical high caused by the euphoria of limerence.” — Smitten by Tom Bellamy
• “Her limerence lasted for around three months before she actually met him.” — Hello, Limerence by Momo Yamaguchi

Synonyms

• Infatuation

Antonyms

• Disinterest
• Detachment

Read more Word of the Day here.