verb
-
to attract and fascinate; enchant
-
to cast a spell over
Other Word Forms
- bewitcher noun
- bewitchery noun
- bewitching adjective
- bewitchingly adverb
- bewitchingness noun
- bewitchment noun
Etymology
Origin of bewitch
First recorded in 1175–1225, bewitch is from the Middle English word biwicchen; see be-, witch
Explanation
To bewitch is to cast a spell on someone with witchcraft or to capture their attention in another way. You might bewitch someone with your beauty or with your potion. The choice is yours. The word witch is a big clue to what bewitching means. In a Halloween story, if a witch casts a spell over someone to control them, that's an example of bewitching. Bewitching happens in the real world when something captures your attention or attracts you. A fascinating storyteller bewitches you. When people fall in love, they bewitch one another.
Vocabulary lists containing bewitch
Born a Crime
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"The Flight of Icarus" by Sally Benson
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Merci Suárez Changes Gears
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unlike Godard, he doesn’t try to bewitch you with theory.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025
The prosecution alleged that Phiri and Candunde were hired by a fugitive former MP to bewitch Hichilema.
From BBC • Sep. 15, 2025
While “I Put a Spell on You” is a fan-favorite, the super-creepy “Come Little Children,” sung by Parker’s Sarah to bewitch children for eating, is also a memorable performance.
From Washington Post • Sep. 30, 2022
The Friz’s diverse interests, complete fearlessness, and unflagging cheer both annoy and bewitch her students.
From Slate • Jul. 17, 2020
The Creevey brothers had managed to get hold of a stack of Support Cedric Diggory! badges and were trying to bewitch them to make them say Support Harry Potter! instead.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
