smitten

American  

[smit-n] / ˈsmɪt n /

adjective

1. overwhelmed with attraction or affection toward someone or something.

2. struck, such as with a hard blow.

3. grievously or disastrously stricken or afflicted.

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verb

1. a past participle of smite.

smitten British  

/ ˈsmɪtən /

verb

1. a past participle of smite

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adjective

1. (postpositive) affected by love (for)

Usage

What does smitten mean? Smitten is most popularly used to mean deeply in love.It can also mean infatuated due to being extremely impressed or fond of someone or something, as in I’m just smitten with your new hairstyle or She’s smitten with her new granddaughter. Another way to say any of these things is in love.In a more negative sense, smitten can mean severely or intensely affected or afflicted, such as by illness.All of these senses derive from the fact that smitten is the past participle of the verb smite, which means to strike, damage, injure, attack, or afflict. While smite is often associated with archaic uses (such as its use in the King James Bible to refer to the wrath of God), most senses of the word smitten don’t have this association.Example: I can tell just by the look in your eyes that you’re smitten. What’s his name?

Other Word Forms

• unsmitten adjective

Etymology

Origin of smitten

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English; equivalent to smite + -en ³

Example Sentences

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Trump is so smitten with his Florsheim dress shoes that he shod his whole Cabinet in the same footwear.

From Slate • Mar. 14, 2026

The adaptation retained the 18th-century setting and the central plot: The teenage siren Manon, on her way to a convent, runs off with a smitten young aristocrat, the Chevalier Des Grieux.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

For me the most fun thing to play was just how smitten he is.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025

Traders seemed less smitten, and the stock traded off 4% to a Monday afternoon price of $7.80.

From Barron's • Nov. 10, 2025

The old gentleman liked the fun, and amused himself by sending odd bundles, mysterious messages, and funny telegrams, and his gardener, who was smitten with Hannah’s charms, actually sent a love letter to Jo’s care.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott