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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.

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 dread comes from fears of a reinterpretation of John Galsworthy’s Nobel Prize-winning books, collectively known as “The Forsyte Saga,” to suit an audience besotted with “Bridgerton” and other sensual period adaptations.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

My source remembers vividly that Mojtaba was totally besotted with the apocalypse and was also just a very shrewd, intelligent guy.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 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

A man besotted, he calculated what it would weigh, calculating again and again that the building could support the load easily.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

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