psychologicalemotionalmodern
Limerence
LIM-er-ens
noun
A state of intense romantic desire and obsessive thoughts about another person, characterized by an overwhelming need for reciprocation and fear of rejection.
Etymology
Coined by psychologist Dorothy Tennov in her 1979 book "Love and Limerence: The Experience of Being in Love." She created the word to distinguish the involuntary, obsessive aspects of romantic attraction from other forms of love.
Usage Examples
- —“What she felt wasn't simply a crush—it was limerence, consuming her every waking thought.”
- —“The limerence eventually faded, replaced by a deeper, more sustainable love.”
- —“He recognized the signs of limerence: the racing heart, the constant daydreaming, the desperate checking of his phone.”
Fun Fact
According to Tennov's research, limerence typically lasts between 18 months to 3 years. It's characterized by intrusive thinking (you can't stop thinking about the person), acute longing for reciprocation, and a "crystallization" of the beloved's qualities where you tend to overlook their flaws.