intoxicate
C1Formal, Medical, Literary
Definition
Meaning
To cause someone to lose control of their faculties or behaviour, typically by alcohol or drugs; to poison.
To excite or exhilarate someone to a point of frenzy or overwhelming emotion; to metaphorically 'poison' a system or situation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily transitive. The core meaning is literal (poison/alcohol); the extended, emotional meaning is metaphorical. The past participle 'intoxicated' is far more common as an adjective than the base verb form.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major syntactic differences. The legal term 'driving while intoxicated' (DWI) is primarily American; UK uses 'drink-driving' or 'driving under the influence' (DUI).
Connotations
In both, the literal meaning carries negative/legal connotations. The metaphorical meaning ('intoxicated by success') is positive but suggests a dangerous lack of control.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to its use in legal/medical terminology (e.g., 'intoxicated driver').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Sb] intoxicate [Sb] (with sth)[Sb] be/become intoxicated (by/with sth)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “drunk as a lord (related state)”
- “under the influence (related state)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'The market was intoxicated by the merger news.'
Academic
Used in medical, toxicology, and legal papers regarding substance use.
Everyday
Mostly in its adjective form: 'He was arrested for driving while intoxicated.'
Technical
Precise term in toxicology for the state of being poisoned by a substance.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The fumes from the chemical spill could intoxicate emergency responders.
- She felt intoxicated by the heady atmosphere of the awards ceremony.
American English
- Consuming alcohol and medication together can dangerously intoxicate a person.
- The crowd was intoxicated by the team's last-minute victory.
adverb
British English
- N/A (The adverb 'intoxicatedly' is exceptionally rare and not standard).
American English
- N/A (The adverb 'intoxicatedly' is exceptionally rare and not standard).
adjective
British English
- The intoxicated reveller was asked to leave the premises.
- He gave an intoxicated speech full of rambling anecdotes.
American English
- Police administered a field test to the intoxicated driver.
- Her intoxicated state made her vulnerable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Alcohol can intoxicate people.
- The man was clearly intoxicated and couldn't walk straight.
- She felt intoxicated with happiness after her exam results.
- Certain wild berries can intoxicate if ingested, causing hallucinations.
- The dictator was intoxicated by his own power and ignored all advice.
- The legal threshold for being considered intoxicated while operating a vehicle is strictly defined.
- The poet's words intoxicated the audience, leaving them in a state of collective rapture.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'IN' + 'TOXIC' + 'ATE' = to put a toxic substance INto someone, making them ATE it (figuratively).
Conceptual Metaphor
STRONG EMOTION/EXCITEMENT IS A DRUG/POISON (e.g., intoxicated by love).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'отравить' (to poison with intent to harm). 'Intoxicate' is broader, encompassing alcohol. The Russian cognate 'интоксикация' is a medical state, not the action.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'intoxicate' intransitively (e.g., 'He intoxicated quickly' is wrong). Using it for mild drunkenness (it implies significant impairment).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'intoxicate' used in its primary, non-metaphorical sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While commonly associated with alcohol, it refers to any substance (drugs, chemicals, toxins) that impairs physical and mental control. Its metaphorical use relates to powerful emotions.
'Intoxicated' is more formal, clinical, or legal. 'Drunk' is the everyday term. 'Intoxicated' can also refer to drugs and poisons, while 'drunk' is specific to alcohol.
Yes, but only in its metaphorical sense. e.g., 'intoxicated by joy' is positive, though it implies a loss of rational control. The literal meaning is always negative/dangerous.
Yes, particularly in medical and legal contexts (e.g., 'alcohol intoxication', 'symptoms of intoxication'). The verb is less frequently used in active form.