bewitch

[ bih-wich ]
See synonyms for: bewitchbewitchedbewitchingbewitchery on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to affect by witchcraft or magic; cast a spell over.

  2. to enchant; charm; fascinate: The painter bewitched the crowd with his latest work.

verb (used without object)
  1. to cause someone to be enchanted; cast a spell over someone: She lost her power to bewitch.

Origin of bewitch

1
First recorded in 1175–1225, bewitch is from the Middle English word biwicchen; see be-, witch

Other words for bewitch

Other words from bewitch

  • be·witch·er, noun
  • be·witch·er·y, noun
  • be·witch·ing·ness, noun
  • be·witch·ment, noun

Words Nearby bewitch

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use bewitch in a sentence

  • This charming creature—I tell you she is irresistible—her very oddities bewitch me.

    Night and Morning, Complete | Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • I've been told that country wizards carve images of their victims, and give them the names of those they'd bewitch.

    The Road to Damascus | August Strindberg
  • Like foxes and badgers, they are able to bewitch human beings.

    Myths & Legends of Japan | F. Hadland (Frederick Hadland) Davis
  • Thou liest; or wilt thou even yet deny that thou didst bewitch old Paasch his little girl with a white roll?

    The Amber Witch | Wilhelm Meinhold
  • But, Baas, those Black Kendah wizards forgot to bewitch him against the little yellow man, of whom they took no account.

    The Ivory Child | H. Rider Haggard

British Dictionary definitions for bewitch

bewitch

/ (bɪˈwɪtʃ) /


verb(tr)
  1. to attract and fascinate; enchant

  2. to cast a spell over

Origin of bewitch

1
C13 bewicchen; see be-, witch

Derived forms of bewitch

  • bewitching, adjective
  • bewitchingly, adverb

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