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Synonyms

besotted

American  
[bih-sot-id] / bɪˈsɒt ɪd /

adjective

  1. infatuated or obsessed.

    The besotted mom showed off pictures of her new baby.

    They had one date and he was utterly besotted.

  2. intoxicated; drunk.

    We found him besotted with wine.


besotted British  
/ bɪˈsɒtɪd /

adjective

  1. stupefied with drink; intoxicated

  2. infatuated; doting

  3. foolish; muddled

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of besotted

First recorded in 1580–90; besot + -ed 2

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.

See Examples For:

It opens in a London pub, where Rodrigo is besotted by a boy who "looks like an angel on the walls of Versailles".

From BBC Jun. 10, 2026

Mr. Paul and his collaborators are clearly besotted lovers as well as knowledgeable students of the musicals they are spoofing, so the evening’s spirit is exuberantly affectionate.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 21, 2026

The film would attract a "whole new generation of people" who had not yet read the book but were "completely besotted" after seeing the film, he added.

From Barron's Feb. 28, 2026

I was immediately besotted by the band’s hookiness, the way their songs felt both precise and slightly feral.

From Salon Dec. 30, 2025

Oriana’s words come back to me: He’s besotted with you girls.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

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