obsessed

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Unable to stop thinking about someone or something; extremely preoccupied with it.

   Grammar: Usually follows be, seem, or become and is followed by with: obsessed with fitness.

   Patterns

   • be obsessed with someone
   • be obsessed with something
   • become obsessed by something

   She became obsessed with the idea that she had left the door unlocked.

   He was obsessed with his work and rarely slept.

2. 2adjectivenot comparableinformal

   Very enthusiastic about an interest, hobby, or activity, sometimes too intensely.

   Grammar: Informal and often positive or teasing; still usually followed by with: obsessed with vinyl records.

   Patterns

   • be obsessed with a hobby
   • get obsessed by a detail
   • totally obsessed with something

   My brother is obsessed with old maps and buys them every chance he gets.

   At the party, she was totally obsessed with the idea of baking the perfect bread.

Common combinations

obsessed with detail

The copy editor is obsessed with detail, which makes the reports reliable.

dangerously obsessed

A fan became dangerously obsessed with the singer's private life.

obsessed with control

The manager is obsessed with control and reviews every small decision.

Synonyms and how they differ

fixated

Suggests a narrow, often unhealthy focus on one thing; obsessed is broader.

preoccupied

Means mentally absorbed or distracted; weaker than obsessed and often neutral.

consumed

Very strong, implying the feeling takes over a person's life.

Opposites

Word family

obsession noun

A persistent, hard-to-control thought, interest, or activity.

obsessive adjective

Relating to obsession or done with excessive attention.

obsess verb

To fill the mind continually or to preoccupy someone greatly.

Commonly confused: obsessed or obsessive? obsessed or absorbed?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “obsessed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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