What does enamour mean?
Enamour is a chiefly British verb meaning to fill someone with love, affection, or deep admiration. It is almost always found in its passive form — 'to be enamoured of' or 'be enamoured with' — describing a person who has been charmed by another person, an object, an idea, or a place. The word carries a distinctly literary, somewhat old-fashioned flavour, lending elegance to writing about romance and passion, though it is equally at home in more figurative uses such as being enamoured with a city, a career, or one's own plan. When applied to things rather than people, it can subtly suggest infatuation or misplaced devotion, as in a leader too enamoured of his own strategy. The word derives from Old French 'enamourer', built on Latin 'amor', meaning love — the same root behind 'amorous', 'amour', and 'amateur'. Its American spelling variant is 'enamor'. For writers seeking a refined alternative to 'charmed' or 'smitten', enamour remains a graceful choice.
verbTo fill with love or a strong feeling of admiration or attraction; usually used as 'be enamoured of/with' meaning to be charmed by or devoted to something or someone.
- To inspire with love or deep affection; to charm or captivate.
- (Usually passive) To be filled with admiration, enthusiasm, or fondness for something — 'be enamoured of/with'.
"She was enamoured of the city's quiet streets and old bookshops."
"He was quickly enamoured of her wit and warmth."
"Voters grew less enamoured with the government's economic policies."
'Enamoured' comes straight from the same Latin root that gave us 'amateur' — literally someone who does something for the love of it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of enamour
Enamour entered English in the early modern period, borrowed from Old French 'enamourer', itself formed from the phrase en amour — 'in love'. The ultimate source is the Latin noun 'amor', meaning love, derived from the verb 'amare', to love. This root produced a rich family of English words, including 'amorous', 'amour', 'amiable', and, through Late Latin 'amator', the word 'amateur'. The spelling 'enamor' is the standard American form.
Related word forms
How enamour is actually used
Almost always used in the passive construction 'be/become enamoured of or with'. British spelling is 'enamoured'; American English typically prefers 'enamored'. The tone is literary or formal, and when applied to ideas or things rather than people it often carries a hint of infatuation that may be fleeting or unwise.