Dictionary
obsession
noun ob·ses·sion \äb-ˈse-shən, əb-\
: a state in which someone thinks about someone or something constantly or frequently especially in a way that is not normal
: someone or something that a person thinks about constantly or frequently
: an activity that someone is very interested in or spends a lot of time doing
Full Definition of OBSESSION
1
: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling; broadly : compelling motivation <an obsession with profits>
2
: something that causes an obsession
— ob·ses·sion·al \-ˈsesh-nəl, -ˈse-shə-nəl\ adjective
— ob·ses·sion·al·ly adverb
See obsession defined for English-language learners
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First Known Use of OBSESSION
1680
Related to OBSESSION
- Synonyms
- fetish (also fetich), idée fixe, mania, fixation, preoccupation, prepossession
Other Psychology Terms
Rhymes with OBSESSION
accession, aggression, bull session, compression, concession, confession, depression, digression, discretion, egression, expression, impression, ingression, jam session, oppression, precession, procession, profession, progression, recession, refreshen, regression, repression, secession, skull session, succession, suppression, transgression
OBSESSIONAL Defined for Kids
obsession
noun ob·ses·sion \əb-ˈse-shən\
Definition of OBSESSION for Kids
: a persistent abnormally strong interest in or concern about someone or something
Medical Dictionary
obsession
noun ob·ses·sion \äb-ˈsesh-ən, əb-\
Medical Definition of OBSESSION
: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling; also : something that causes such preoccupation—compare compulsion, phobia
—ob·ses·sion·al \-ˈsesh-nəl, -ən-əl\ adjective
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