bewitch

C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes

US /bɪˈwɪtʃ/ UK /bɪˈwɪtʃ/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

verb
to cast a spell over; to enchant or fascinate utterly

Her voice seemed to bewitch everyone who heard her sing.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to cast a spell over; to... enchant charm captivate entrancespellbindmesmerize fascinate beguile

Opposites

repel disenchant disgust

Word family

Derived forms bewitchmentbewitcherbewitching

Related forms witch witchcraft witchery

Etymology

From Middle English biwicchen, from be- (intensive prefix) + wicchen ('to bewitch'), from Old English wiccian ('to practice witchcraft'), related to wicca ('witch').

be- Old English wiccian Old English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# bewitch

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /bɪˈwɪtʃ/
**IPA (UK):** /bɪˈwɪtʃ/

## Meanings
1. to cast a spell over; to enchant or fascinate utterly

## Examples
- Her voice seemed to bewitch everyone who heard her sing.

## Synonyms
- enchant
- charm
- captivate
- entrance
- spellbind
- mesmerize
- fascinate
- beguile

## Antonyms
- repel
- disenchant
- disgust

## Derived Forms
- bewitchment
- bewitcher
- bewitching

## Related Forms
- witch
- witchcraft
- witchery

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: be-
- Root: wiccian

## Etymology
From Middle English biwicchen, from be- (intensive prefix) + wicchen ('to bewitch'), from Old English wiccian ('to practice witchcraft'), related to wicca ('witch').

## AI Etymology
Bewitch is a verb meaning "to cast a spell over; to enchant or fascinate utterly". Historically, it is from Middle English biwicchen, from be- (intensive prefix) + wicchen ('to bewitch'), from Old English wiccian ('to practice witchcraft'), related to wicca ('witch'). The visible construction is part of the etymology: bewitch is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The historical chain links Old English be- with Old English wiccian. Close English family members include bewitchment, bewitcher, bewitching, witch, and witchcraft.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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