Added 10 October 2026
obsession
/əbˈsɛʃən/ noun
Latin root: obsessio Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about obsession at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
An irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will.
her compulsion to wash her hands repeatedly
- An unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something or someone.
Origin
From Latin obsessio (“a besieging”), from obsidere (“to besiege”); see obsess. Equivalent to obsess + -ion.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)