obsess
B2Formal, neutral, and clinical/psychological contexts. Also used in everyday language to describe intense preoccupation.
Definition
Meaning
To preoccupy or fill the mind continually and to a troubling extent.
To think about something or someone constantly, often in a way that is unhealthy or uncontrollable; to be excessively focused on a particular idea, person, or situation, leading to distress or impaired functioning.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a verb, often in the passive voice or reflexive constructions ('be obsessed with,' 'obsess over'). The focus is on the intrusive and persistent nature of the thoughts. The related noun is 'obsession,' and the adjective is 'obsessive.'
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant grammatical differences. The preposition 'over' following the verb is slightly more common in American English. Both varieties use 'about' and 'with'.
Connotations
Similar in both, implying an unhealthy level of mental fixation. Can be used hyperbolically in casual speech.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties. The noun 'obsession' is more common than the verb.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + over + NOUN PHRASE[verb] + about + NOUN PHRASE[verb] + with + NOUN PHRASEbe/become/get + obsessed + with + NOUN PHRASE[verb] + (reflexively) e.g., 'She obsessed herself with...' (less common)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Driven by obsession”
- “A one-track mind (related concept)”
- “Can't get it/them out of one's head (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe an unhealthy focus on metrics, competition, or a single strategy to the detriment of broader goals. e.g., 'The CEO obsessed over quarterly profits, ignoring long-term innovation.'
Academic
Common in psychology, sociology, and literary analysis to describe compulsive thought patterns or a central thematic fixation. e.g., 'The study examines how social media can cause individuals to obsess over their self-image.'
Everyday
Used to describe an intense hobby, interest, or worry. Often hyperbolic. e.g., 'I'm obsessing over what to wear to the wedding.'
Technical
In clinical psychology, part of the term 'obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)', where obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He would obsess about the slightest grammatical error in his emails.
- It's not healthy to obsess over things you cannot change.
American English
- She obsessed over her college applications for months.
- Don't obsess with the competition; just focus on your own work.
adjective
British English
- He has an obsessive need to check the locks five times. (from 'obsessive')
- Her compulsive cleaning is quite obsessive. (from 'obsessive')
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She is obsessed with her new puppy.
- He thinks about football all the time. He is obsessed!
- Many teenagers obsess about their appearance on social media.
- Try not to obsess over the exam results; you did your best.
- The detective became obsessed with finding a connection between the two cold cases.
- His tendency to obsess over minor setbacks often prevented him from seeing the bigger picture.
- The artist was famously obsessed with capturing the exact quality of light at dusk.
- Societal pressures can lead individuals to obsess unhealthily about productivity, equating self-worth with output.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an OBS (a type of ancient stone) weighing on your chest (SESS sounds like 'chest'). It's a heavy thought you can't get off your mind.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN OBSESSION IS A CAPTOR (trapped by thoughts), AN OBSESSION IS A DISEASE (afflicted with thoughts), AN OBSESSION IS A BURDEN (weighed down by thoughts).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Russian 'одержимый' (oderzhimyy) is stronger and often implies being possessed by a demon or fanatical idea. 'Obsess' is less extreme in casual use.
- Avoid using 'obsess' for simple, strong liking. It implies a compulsive, often negative element. Use 'love,' 'adore,' or 'be passionate about' instead.
- Note the common preposition patterns: 'obsess over/about' something (думать без остановки о чем-то) and 'be obsessed with' (быть одержимым чем-то).
Common Mistakes
- Using it transitively without a preposition: Incorrect: 'He obsesses the idea.' Correct: 'He obsesses over the idea.'
- Confusing 'obsess' (verb) with 'obsession' (noun): 'His main obsess is football.' -> 'His main obsession is football.'
- Using it positively without context can sound odd. 'I obsess about my lovely garden' implies an unhealthy worry, not joy.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'obsess' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are close synonyms. 'Fixate' often implies a more rigid, narrowed focus on a single point or idea, sometimes with a clinical connotation. 'Obsess' emphasizes the repetitive, intrusive, and often anxious nature of the thoughts.
Rarely in its core meaning, as it implies a lack of control. However, it can be used hyperbolically or in colloquial speech to express great enthusiasm ('I'm obsessed with this new series!'). In such cases, the negative connotation is weakened but not entirely absent.
Both are correct and common. 'Obsess over' is frequently used with negative topics (problems, mistakes). 'Obsess with' is often seen in the adjectival passive construction 'be obsessed with.' 'Obsess about' is also widely used.
It is a participial adjective (derived from the past participle of the verb 'obsess'). It functions as an adjective describing a state of being.