Bewitch
verb /bɪˈwɪtʃ/ — To enchant or cast a spell of fascination over someone.
Definition
To enchant or fascinate someone completely — to cast a spell, literally or figuratively. Bewitchment implies that the fascination has something magical or inexplicable about it; you cannot entirely account for why you are so drawn.
Beyond the definition
Bewitchment is attraction with an edge of the uncanny — the sense that what holds you is beyond ordinary explanation. It is the vocabulary of desire that has run out of rational account.
Origin & history
From 'be-' (intensifier) + 'witch' (from Old English 'wicce', a witch). To witch someone thoroughly — to apply the full force of magical fascination.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She had bewitched him through no obvious means — he could not say why he thought about her constantly, only that he did.
The city had bewitched him on first sight: the light, the streets, the sense that anything was possible here.
Some books bewitch at the first sentence — you know before the end of the first page that you are lost to them.
How to use it
This entry uses a verb. Follow the examples for tense and any objects or prepositions it needs.
Choose “Bewitch” when the meaning fits your context: To enchant or fascinate someone completely — to cast a spell, literally or figuratively. Bewitchment implies that the fascination has something magical or inexplicable about it; you cannot entirely account for why you are so drawn.
Synonyms
enchant, captivate, cast a spell, entrance, mesmerize
Antonyms
repel, bore, disenchant
Related words
Bewitch vs enchant
Bewitch carries a slightly more intense, involuntary connotation, suggesting the victim is under a spell. Enchant is generally more positive and whimsical in tone.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Inexplicable Fascination
An adult stands on a balcony, ready to capture a single beam of light.
The inexplicable and brilliant beauty of the sun striking the flower mirrors bewitchment. The fascination is so strong that the adult cannot entirely account for why they are so drawn to this fleeting, almost magical moment.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Bewitch" mean?
Bewitch is verb meaning: To enchant or cast a spell of fascination over someone.. To enchant or fascinate someone completely — to cast a spell, literally or figuratively. Bewitchment implies that the fascination has something magical or inexplicable about it; you cannot entirely account for why you are so drawn.
Where does the word "Bewitch" come from?
From 'be-' (intensifier) + 'witch' (from Old English 'wicce', a witch). To witch someone thoroughly — to apply the full force of magical fascination.