smitten with

USAGE SUMMARY

"smitten with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe someone who is in love or has strong feelings of admiration for someone or something. Example sentence: She was completely smitten with him the moment she saw him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And smitten with the profession.

The New York Times

I'm totally smitten with her.

The Guardian

Americans aren't yet so smitten with horticulture.

The New York Times - Books

They are equally smitten with his style.

The New York Times - Style

I was smitten with the Catamount.

The New York Times - Travel

Dr. Brumley was smitten with Africa.

The New York Times

Indeed, the whole family is smitten with the West.

The New York Times - Books

But journalists were smitten with the transplanted tribesmen.

The New Yorker

Viewers were smitten with Clarkson's arresting voice, charisma, and humour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But not all teenagers are smitten with history.

Independent

She was immediately smitten with the Civil War drama.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smitten with" to convey a feeling of being charmed or deeply attracted to someone or something. Ensure the context supports this nuance, avoiding overuse in formal or professional settings where a less emotive expression might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "smitten with" in highly formal or professional writing. While it effectively conveys strong attraction, it can sound too informal or emotional for business reports or academic papers. Opt for more neutral terms like "impressed by" or "interested in".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smitten with" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject by describing their state of being deeply attracted or charmed. Ludwig shows examples such as "She was immediately smitten with the Civil War drama" or "I was smitten with the Catamount", where "smitten with" ascribes a quality to the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smitten with" effectively conveys a strong feeling of attraction or infatuation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in News & Media, it describes being charmed or captivated. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal settings. For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "impressed by". With numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, "smitten with" remains a vivid and reliable way to express a strong initial attraction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enamored of

Indicates a feeling of love or strong admiration, similar to being "smitten with" but can imply a deeper or more established affection.

captivated by

Suggests being charmed and attracted, highlighting the captivating qualities of the object of affection.

enchanted by

Implies a magical or delightful attraction, often used for something whimsical or particularly pleasing.

charmed by

Suggests a gentle and pleasant attraction, often due to someone's personality or behavior.

infatuated with

Indicates a strong but often short-lived passion or admiration.

taken with

Implies a sudden liking or attraction, often unexpected.

fond of

Indicates a general liking or affection, less intense than being "smitten with".

attracted to

A more general term for being drawn to someone or something.

keen on

Suggests a strong interest or enthusiasm.

partial to

Implies a preference or bias towards something.

FAQs

How can I use "smitten with" in a sentence?

Use "smitten with" to describe someone experiencing a strong, often sudden, feeling of attraction or infatuation. For example, "She was "smitten with" the lead actor after seeing his performance."

What's the difference between "smitten with" and "in love with"?

"Smitten with" implies a more immediate and perhaps superficial attraction, while "in love with" suggests a deeper, more profound emotional connection. Being "smitten with" someone can be the first step towards falling in love.

What are some alternatives to saying "smitten with"?

You can use alternatives such as "enamored of", "captivated by", or "infatuated with" to express similar feelings of attraction or admiration.

Is "smitten with" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "smitten with" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more neutral phrases like "impressed by" or "taken with" if you need to convey a similar sentiment.