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coup de foudre

American  
[koo duh foo-druh] / ku də ˈfu drə /

noun

French.
coups de foudre plural
  1. a thunderbolt.

  2. love at first sight.


coup de foudre British  
/ ku də fudrə /

noun

  1. a sudden and amazing action or event

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of coup de foudre

First recorded in 1770–80; from French: literally “bolt of lightning”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Can a muralist and product designer infographic his way into telling a compelling love story, from coup de foudre to coeur brisé?

From Washington Post • Jan. 31, 2023

Or all at once, in a coup de foudre, a lightning strike of, “Hey, this is my town!”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2022

The artistic and emotional coup de foudre that follows dramatically disrupts Hare’s marriage.

From New York Times • Nov. 16, 2015

The words "coup de foudre" appear in the text.

From The Guardian • Jul. 9, 2011

Only, it is sometimes difficult to be sure that our thrill was the real coup de foudre and not the mere gratification of a personal appetite.

From Since Cézanne by Bell, Clive

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