fixate

verb

fix·​ate ˈfik-ˌsāt 

fixated; fixating

transitive verb

1

: to make fixed, stationary, or unchanging

2

: to focus one's gaze on

3

: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification

intransitive verb

1

: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention intently or obsessively

2

: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development

Examples of fixate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s worth keeping in mind as popular investment media fixates on trying to pick winners and losers, based on election forecasts that at this point amount to little more than guesswork. —Moneyshow, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

But fans have especially fixated on the latest breakup, that of Marissa and Ramses. —Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2024

Its ascent was derailed a bit in recent years as fragrance lovers became fixated on all things gourmand— vanilla scents, to be specific. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 17 Oct. 2024

But through it all, Qantas remained fixated on a key project: Project Sunrise. —Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from fixation, in part as translation of German fixieren

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Medical Definition

fixate

verb

fix·​ate ˈfik-ˌsāt 

fixated; fixating

transitive verb

1

: to focus one's gaze on

2

: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification

intransitive verb

1

: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention

an infant with normal vision … will fixate on a light held before him

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

2

: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development