bewitch

verb

be·​witch bi-ˈwich How to pronounce bewitch (audio)
bē-
bewitched; bewitching; bewitches

transitive verb

1
a
: to influence or affect especially injuriously by witchcraft
b
: to cast a spell over
2
: to attract as if by the power of witchcraft : enchant, fascinate
bewitched by her beauty

intransitive verb

: to bewitch someone or something
bewitchery noun

Examples of bewitch in a Sentence

People believed the girls had been bewitched. a Wiccan who believes that it is indeed possible to bewitch someone
Recent Examples on the Web Even before the fire bursts onto the scene, her descriptions of the natural world are bewitching and distressing. Kayla Maiuri, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 Great or merely bewitching, the paintings were impossible to absorb given the crowds. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023 Hopefully, this one will and fans can be bewitched by Samantha and Darrin (and Aunt Clara) all over again. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2024 Wearing a look that would have fared just as well in October, the singer’s all-black outfit was bewitching: an A-line minidress with exaggerated long sleeves, sheer black tights, and platform ankle boots. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2024 The diviner confirms the man’s fears: two women have bewitched his wife. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024 The images and lighting maintain the project’s bewitching nature from first frame to last. Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 8 Dec. 2023 If Varo’s imagery is bewitching, the process behind her paintings is just as engrossing. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2023 Tony Curtis is dressed as a woman and watching her, bewitched from the sidelines. Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bewitch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bewitch was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near bewitch

Cite this Entry

“Bewitch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bewitch. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bewitch

verb
be·​witch bi-ˈwich How to pronounce bewitch (audio)
1
: to put under a spell
2
: to attract or delight as if by magic
bewitchment
-mənt
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bewitch

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