obsession
B2Neutral (used in both formal and informal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A state in which someone thinks about something or someone constantly in a way that is not normal or healthy; a persistent, disturbing preoccupation with an idea, feeling, or object.
1. (Psychology) A compulsive, often irrational preoccupation with a fixed idea, feeling, or impulse. 2. (General) An activity, subject, or idea that interests someone so much that they spend an excessive amount of time thinking about or dealing with it.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While the core meaning is negative (unhealthy fixation), the word is often used in a milder, colloquial sense to describe a strong, passionate interest (e.g., 'a healthy obsession with football'). Context dictates the severity of the connotation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are identical.
Connotations
Identical negative/neutral range in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have an obsession with [noun/gerund]be an obsession for [person]develop an obsession about [noun]fuel [someone's] obsession with [noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “be a slave to an obsession”
- “an obsession bordering on madness”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; can describe an excessive, counterproductive focus on a single metric or strategy.
Academic
Common in psychology and cultural studies to describe clinical conditions or societal fixations.
Everyday
Common to describe a very strong, sometimes excessive interest in a hobby, celebrity, or topic.
Technical
Primarily in clinical psychology (e.g., as part of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - OCD).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Football is his obsession.
- She has an obsession with cats.
- His obsession with video games worries his parents.
- Cleanliness became an obsession for her after the pandemic.
- The media's obsession with celebrity gossip often overshadows important news.
- He pursued his research with an almost obsessive dedication.
- The novelist's obsession with mortality pervades all his later works.
- Her single-minded obsession with winning the case blinded her to the ethical ramifications.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of OBSESSION as OBSessively thinking about a SESSION (a prolonged period) of one thing.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBSESSION IS A PRISON / OBSESSION IS A DISEASE (e.g., 'He is a prisoner of his own obsession'; 'The obsession consumed him like a sickness').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from Russian 'мания' (mania) or 'одержимость' (possession), which can sound overly clinical or supernatural. 'Obsession' is more general.
- Do not confuse with 'hobby' (хобби). An obsession is stronger and more all-encompassing.
Common Mistakes
- Using the wrong preposition: 'obsession on' (incorrect) vs. 'obsession with' (correct).
- Overusing the word for normal strong interests, diluting its power.
Practice
Quiz
In a clinical context, 'obsession' is most closely associated with which condition?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. While its core and clinical meanings are negative, in informal contexts it can describe a very strong, positive interest (e.g., 'a healthy obsession with fitness'). Tone and context are key.
In psychology, an 'obsession' refers to persistent, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges. A 'compulsion' is the repetitive behaviour or mental act performed to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession (e.g., obsessive fear of germs leads to compulsive hand-washing).
No, 'obsession' is only a noun. The related verb is 'obsess' (e.g., He is obsessed with details).
The standard preposition is 'with' (an obsession with detail). 'About' and 'for' are sometimes used but are less common and can sound unnatural.