enamor

especially British, en·am·our

[ih-nam-er]

verb (used with object)

1. to fill or inflame with love (usually used in the passive and followed by of or sometimeswith ).

   to be enamored of a certain lady; a brilliant woman with whom he became enamored.

2. to charm or captivate (usually used in the passive and followed by of , with , or sometimesby ).

   Synonyms: enrapture, enchant, bewitch, fascinate

Other Word Forms

• enamoredness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of enamor¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English enamouren, from Old French enamourer; en- ¹, amour

Example Sentences

McArthur, who was born in Honolulu, first became enamored of spaceflight as a teenager living in Mountain View, Calif., where her father was stationed at Moffett Field Naval Air Station.

From Los Angeles Times

He’d always been enamored with the history at USC, and at Georgia Southern, he recognized a similar pride in the past.

From Los Angeles Times

Initially enamored of the industry’s potential, Dermish now worried that its pollution endangered the health of the town’s 75 residents.

From Salon

But the film is actually more concerned with the absurdities of male friendship, to the extent that Covino and Marvin are perennially enamored of themselves and can’t help from centering their own antics.

From Los Angeles Times

The Chinese government, however, isn’t enamored of the chip.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bewitch 
• enchant 
• enrapture 
• enthrall 
• entice 
• infatuate 
• please