obsessed
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
thinking about something or someone so much that you cannot focus on anything else.
exhibiting an intense, often excessive, preoccupation with a specific topic, person, or emotion.
Simple“He is completely obsessed with that new video game and plays it every night.”
In context“The media became obsessed with the celebrity's private life, ignoring the more significant political developments occurring simultaneously.”
UsageUsually follows the verb 'to be' or 'to become' and takes the preposition 'with'.
PitfallShe is obsessed by her new hobby. She is obsessed with her new hobby.In modern English, we almost always use the preposition 'with' after obsessed when describing an interest or hobby.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C2 Proficiency
an old-fashioned way to describe someone influenced by bad spirits or ghosts.
historically distinguished from 'possessed'; refers to being influenced or harassed by external evil spirits rather than being internally controlled by them.
Simple“The old stories spoke of a man obsessed by shadows that followed him everywhere.”
In context“In medieval theology, the obsessed individual was seen as a victim of external demonic harassment rather than internal spiritual displacement.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is rare in modern conversation and is mostly found in historical religious texts or horror literature.
“Or the New Jersey mansion where Tony Soprano ate, slept and obsessed over the ducks in his swimming pool.”
“He wants everyone to know about the horror fishing game he’s currently obsessed with.”