smitten

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'smitten' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a past tense verb that means to be inspired with a feeling of passionate desire, affection, or admiration. Example sentence: When she saw him, she was smitten and immediately fell in love.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They all shared a guitar as children, although Louis moved to bass in 1961 after being smitten by the guitarrón, a large acoustic bass favoured by mariachi bands, which he had heard being played in a shopping arcade in LA.

The Guardian - Music

I was smitten, and this newfound passion saw me heading, freshly qualified, to Khao Lak for a liveaboard trip to the Similan islands with an underwater camera.

The Guardian - Travel

At the risk of sounding disgustingly smitten, my love life is pretty dreamy right now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She is obviously smitten.

The Guardian - Film

In the 1960s and 1970s some Western intellectuals, smitten with China fever, were persuaded that Mao Zedong had achieved an egalitarian society.

The Economist

And one strong argument to put to them is that by insisting on the preservation of past gains, the union threatens the jobs of younger workers a foretaste of intergenerational conflict that could become endemic in mature industries.The pension problem has already smitten steel, textiles and airlines, overloading the already burdened federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (see article).

The Economist

The head of Amethi's swanky charitable hospital was equally smitten when he inspected its new blood bank.

The Economist

Most are now forgotten, but they were famous at the time: baseball's Babe Ruth, William Randolph Hearst, the model for "Citizen Kane", and Jean Cocteau, a French writer and artist who was smitten and wrote a poem about Kiharu.Japan's secret service, perhaps influenced by stories of Mata Hari, a dancer who became a spy in the first world war, asked Miss Nakamura to spy on a foreign client.

The Economist

Better still would be a Mexican solution, in which the old guard yields gracefully to a plausible opposition but Japan has no plausible opposition.It may all depend on whether the country is smitten by some awful financial crisis.

The Economist

At 13, he wins young Claire in a card game, and with the briefest of introductions is smitten.

The Economist

She says in her autobiography "The Gift Horse" that she avoided Goebbels's attentions; she was anyway much too smitten by a film producer who promised to make her a star, although his views were not much different from those of Goebbels.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "smitten", ensure the context clearly indicates who is experiencing the strong attraction or affection, avoiding ambiguity. Example: "He was smitten with her wit and charm."

Common error

Avoid using "smitten" for casual liking. It conveys a strong, often sudden, feeling of attraction or infatuation, not just mild interest.

Linguistic Context

The word "smitten" primarily functions as an adjective, describing a state of being affected by strong emotions, usually love or infatuation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage as an adjective. For example, "She is obviously smitten" demonstrates its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

38%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smitten" is a versatile adjective used to describe a sudden and intense feeling of affection or infatuation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science contexts. While commonly used, it should be reserved for situations where a strong emotional connection is implied, as overusing it can diminish its impact. Consider using alternatives like "infatuated" or "captivated" to vary your language. Remember that both "smitten by" and "smitten with" are acceptable, although "smitten with" is more prevalent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply infatuated

Emphasizes the intensity of the feeling, suggesting a strong, often irrational passion.

utterly charmed

Highlights the delightful and captivating nature of the attraction.

completely captivated

Focuses on the all-consuming nature of the attraction, implying a loss of control.

enamored

A formal and literary term for being in love or charmed.

head over heels

An idiomatic expression indicating a complete and often sudden infatuation.

struck by

Indicates a sudden and impactful feeling of admiration or affection.

taken with

Suggests a liking or fondness that has developed.

spellbound

Implies being so fascinated or enchanted as to be unable to think or act.

affected by

Broader term suggesting an influence or impact, not necessarily romantic.

enthralled by

Similar to spellbound, but with a stronger sense of pleasure and delight.

FAQs

How can I use "smitten" in a sentence?

You can use "smitten" to describe someone who is instantly and deeply attracted to someone or something. For example, "She was "smitten" by the beautiful scenery" or "He was "smitten" at first sight".

What can I say instead of "smitten"?

You can use alternatives like "infatuated", "enamored", or "captivated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "smitten by" or "smitten with"?

Both "smitten by" and "smitten with" are correct and commonly used, although "smitten with" might be slightly more prevalent. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "smitten" and "attracted"?

"Attracted" is a general term for feeling drawn to someone or something, while ""smitten"" implies a sudden and intense feeling of love or admiration. "Smitten" suggests a stronger and more immediate impact.