Word of the Day — Thursday, March 12, 2026
besotted
adjective/bi-ˈsä-təd/
Definitions
adjectiveutterly infatuated
“besotted lovers”
adjectiveintoxicated or stupefied especially with alcohol
“We issued into an empty street through a half-open door, staggering like besotted revellers.”
verbinfatuate
“The views besot me. From the high road … patches of forest spread out in every direction …”
verbto make dull or stupid
“… was not so besotted as to take his … word for it …”
Examples
- “besotted lovers”
- “became besotted with each other”
- “They have a mad affair. He is besotted.”
- “We issued into an empty street through a half-open door, staggering like besotted revellers.”
- “The views besot me. From the high road … patches of forest spread out in every direction …”
Etymology
First known use: 1580