coup de foudre

American  

[koo d^uh foo-dr^uh] / ku də ˈfu drə /

noun

French.

plural

coups de foudre

1. a thunderbolt.

2. love at first sight.

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coup de foudre British  

/ ku də fudrə /

noun

1. a sudden and amazing action or event

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Etymology

Origin of coup de foudre

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

Example Sentences

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

Mr. Rogers and his wife also parted ways when, in a coup de foudre in the early 1970s, he fell in love with Ruth Elias, an American book designer and later a chef.

From New York Times • Dec. 18, 2021

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

From The Guardian • Jul. 9, 2011

Of course, what the French call le coup de foudre, the thunderbolt of love had smitten him when he had first beheld Doria alighting from the motor-car.

From Jaffery by Locke, William John