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Smitten Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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smitten

[ˈsmɪt(ə)n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

romantic relationships

Deeply affected with or struck by strong feelings of love and attraction.

Synonyms

besotted, captivated, enamored, infatuated.

Examples of usage

  • I was completely smitten with her from the moment we met.
  • He was smitten by her beauty and charm.
  • They are a smitten couple, always holding hands and smiling at each other.
Context #2 | Verb

romantic relationships

To be strongly attracted to someone or something.

Synonyms

charmed, enraptured, fascinated.

Examples of usage

  • He was smitten with her the first time he saw her.
  • She found herself smitten by the romantic gestures he made.
  • I have never seen him so smitten with anyone before.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In Shakespeare's plays, characters often show signs of being smitten, depicting the intensity of romantic feelings.
  • The word is commonly used in romantic poetry to convey deep affection and admiration.

Pop Culture

  • Romantic comedies frequently feature characters who are smitten, highlighting the charm and challenges of love.
  • The phrase 'smitten kitten' is often used in songs and media to describe someone in love, giving a playful and lighthearted feel.

Psychology

  • Being smitten can trigger feelings of happiness and excitement due to the release of dopamine, the 'feel-good' hormone.
  • People who are smitten often exhibit certain behaviors, like smiling more and feeling nervous or giddy around the object of their affection.

Historical Usage

  • The word 'smitten' has been used since the 16th century, indicating how long humans have expressed love and attraction linguistically.
  • Many historical texts and romance novels used the term to describe passionate feelings, establishing a lasting association with love.

Origin of 'smitten'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'smitten' comes from the old English verb 'smitan', meaning to strike or hit.
  • Originally, it referred to being hit by something, often in a more physical sense, before evolving into a romantic context.

The word 'smitten' originated from the Old English word 'smitan', meaning 'to hit, strike, beat'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include being struck by strong feelings of love and attraction. The term has been used in romantic contexts to describe intense infatuation or attraction towards someone or something.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,247, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.