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intoxicate

adjective
in·​tox·​i·​cate | \ in-ˈtäk-si-kət How to pronounce intoxicate (audio) \

Definition of intoxicate

 (Entry 1 of 2)

archaic
: intoxicated sense 1

intoxicate

verb
in·​tox·​i·​cate | \ in-ˈtäk-sə-ˌkāt How to pronounce intoxicate (audio) \
intoxicated; intoxicating

Definition of intoxicate (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : poison
2a : to excite or stupefy by alcohol or a drug especially to the point where physical and mental control is markedly diminished
b : to excite or elate to the point of enthusiasm or frenzy
Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about intoxicate

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Did You Know?

Verb

For those who think that alcohol and drugs qualify as poisons, the history of intoxicate offers some etymological evidence to bolster your argument. Intoxicate traces back to toxicum, the Latin word for "poison" - and the earliest meaning of intoxicate was just that: "to poison." This sense is now extremely rare, and we currently talk about such harmless things as flowers and perfume having the power to intoxicate. Toxicum turns up in the etymologies of a number of other English words including toxic ("poisonous"), intoxicant ("something that intoxicates") and detoxify ("to remove a poison from"), as well as a number of the names for various poisons themselves.

Examples of intoxicate in a Sentence

Verb

 The little bit of beer I drank was not enough to intoxicate me. the stunning spectacle of this Las Vegas show is sure to intoxicate spectators

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 The man, later identified as Kevin Antonio Jessie, appeared to be intoxicated, Stawinski said. — Washington Post, "1 dead, 2 injured after fire in Northwest," 20 Aug. 2019 The crowd included a group of about 15 young men who appeared to be intoxicated while wearing what was believed to be gang attire. — Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, "Fight at Stanislaus County Fair injures four deputies and a horse; 5 are arrested," 22 July 2019 Hopkinson appeared to be intoxicated at the scene and was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol, police said. — Maria Lovato, BostonGlobe.com, "Woman charged with drunken driving in Lowell after allegedly striking bicyclist," 22 July 2019 The driver, a man, 62, was bleeding from the mouth and appeared to be intoxicated. — cleveland.com, "Drunk driver rams fire hydrant, smokes marijuana while waiting for officers to arrive: Cleveland Heights police blotter," 19 July 2019 However, there’s no minimum blood-alcohol level at which a scooter rider is considered to be intoxicated. — Lyndsay Winkley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Scootering while intoxicated. Yes, it's a thing and it's illegal," 17 June 2018 Parr has the type of beauty that’s intoxicating, and a body that’s envy-inducing. — Jennifer Ford, Essence, "Lamar Odom’s New Girlfriend Is A Bombshell," 9 Aug. 2019 Kylie has never done her makeup intoxicated, and Khloe is scandalized. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Actually, Watching Kylie Jenner & Khloé Kardashian Get Drunk and Try to Do Makeup Is Hilarious," 9 Aug. 2019 Zhukovskyy's lawyer in that case, John O'Brien, said his client denies being intoxicated and will fight the charge. — Fox News, "NH governor rips Mass., says DMV 'deficiencies' led to horrific crash that killed 7," 3 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intoxicate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of intoxicate

Adjective

1581, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for intoxicate

Verb

Middle English, from Medieval Latin intoxicatus, past participle of intoxicare, from Latin in- + toxicum poison — more at toxic

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More Definitions for intoxicate

intoxicate

verb
How to pronounce intoxicate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of intoxicate

somewhat formal
of alcohol, a drug, etc. : to make (someone) unable to think and behave normally
: to excite or please (someone) in a way that suggests the effect of alcohol or a drug

See the full definition for intoxicate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

intoxicate

verb
in·​tox·​i·​cate | \ in-ˈtäk-sə-ˌkāt How to pronounce intoxicate (audio) \
intoxicated; intoxicating

Kids Definition of intoxicate

1 : to affect by alcohol or a drug especially so that normal thinking and acting becomes difficult or impossible : make drunk
2 : to make wildly excited or enthusiastic Intoxicated as he was with the heavens, he couldn't imagine needing anything on earth.— Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia

intoxicate

transitive verb
in·​tox·​i·​cate | \ -sə-ˌkāt How to pronounce intoxicate (audio) \
intoxicated; intoxicating

Medical Definition of intoxicate

1 : poison
2 : to excite or stupefy by alcohol or a drug especially to the point where physical and mental control is markedly diminished

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