ShortMeaning, pronunciation & vowel sounds
Limerence Meaning & Pronunciation
/ˈlɪmərəns/ · noun
Limerence is an involuntary state of intense romantic infatuation, marked by obsessive thoughts about another person and a strong longing for them to return the feeling.
How to say it
How to pronounce limerence
limerence
The vowel breakdown
Vowel sounds in limerence
Each vowel sound below shows the letters that spell it, the sound they make, and the phonics pattern behind it.
In the unstressed middle syllable, er is a quick /ər/, the same sound as in her.
Practise this pattern →The ending -ence is unstressed, so its e is a neutral schwa, as in absence and presence.
Definition
What does limerence mean?
An involuntary state of intense romantic attraction, with intrusive thoughts about the other person and a strong desire for the feeling to be returned.
“What began as a crush turned into limerence, and she thought about him constantly.”
Word forms: limerence · limerent (adjective)
Limerence is a descriptive term from psychology, not a formal medical diagnosis. It is different from love, which does not depend on obsession.
Where it comes from
Origin of limerence
The word was coined by the American psychologist Dorothy Tennov in her 1979 book Love and Limerence.
Similar words
Frequently asked questions
What does limerence mean?
Limerence is an involuntary state of intense romantic infatuation, with obsessive thoughts about someone and a strong longing for them to feel the same way.
How do you pronounce limerence?
Limerence is pronounced /ˈlɪmərəns/, or LIM-er-unss, with the stress on the first syllable.
Is limerence the same as love?
No. Limerence is an intense, often obsessive infatuation that can fade, while love is generally understood as a more stable, reciprocal attachment.
Is limerence a mental disorder?
No. It is a descriptive term from psychology, and it is not listed as a diagnosis in the DSM-5.