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Meaning & use

besotted

adjective·AdvancedBritish

Last updated

UK/bɪˈsɒtɪd/
US/bɪˈsɑtɪd/

Meanings

  1. adjectiveafter a verb

    So deeply in love or infatuated with someone that you cannot think clearly.

    Grammar: Takes with or by: besotted with her.

    Patterns

    • be besotted with someone
    • be besotted by someone

    He was besotted with his new girlfriend.

    The grandparents are besotted with the baby.

    She became besotted by the young actor.

  2. adjectiveafter a verbhumorous

    Strongly and foolishly fond of something, such as an object or idea.

    Grammar: Often humorous: besotted with a puppy.

    Patterns

    • be besotted with something

    She is besotted with her new puppy.

    He grew besotted with old cars.

    The critics were besotted with the film.

  3. adjectivecomparableold-fashioned

    Confused or made foolish by drinking too much alcohol.

    Grammar: An old-fashioned sense.

    Patterns

    • besotted with drink

    The besotted sailor staggered along the dock.

    He was besotted with wine by midnight.

    The old story describes a besotted king.

Common combinations

besotted with
The boy is besotted with trains.
utterly besotted
She is utterly besotted with her new baby.
completely besotted
He was completely besotted.
besotted fan
A besotted fan waited outside the theatre.
become besotted
He became besotted with his teacher.

Synonyms and how they differ

infatuated
Infatuated suggests a shallow, intense crush that may not last, and is more clinical than besotted.
smitten
Smitten is lighter and more romantic, without the idea of lost judgment.
obsessed
Obsessed means unable to stop thinking about something, and is more negative.
enamored
Enamored is more formal and can describe a general liking.

Opposites

indifferentdisenchanted

Word family

sot noun
an old word for a drunkard, from which the word came
besottedly adverb
in a deeply infatuated way, rare
besottedness noun
the state of being infatuated

Commonly confused: besotted or besot?

besotted vs besot

Besot is the rare verb meaning to make foolish with drink or affection. The adjective besotted is far more common.

Practice

Complete the sentence: Tom is completely besotted ___ his new neighbor.

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