What does lovestruck mean?
Lovestruck is an informal adjective describing someone who has been overwhelmed by romantic attraction. It suggests not merely liking another person, but being deeply absorbed in the relationship, often to the point of appearing distracted, unrealistic, or unable to think about anything else. The word is commonly used in descriptions of teenagers, newly infatuated couples, and people experiencing their first or most intense romantic crush. It can be affectionate when describing genuine devotion, as in “She had been lovestruck since childhood,” but it may also be used lightly and teasingly, especially about conspicuous displays of affection. Although the phrase suggests being emotionally struck by love, it is generally positive or humorous rather than harsh. Its vivid image makes it especially useful for creative writing and informal commentary.
adjectiveAffected by an intense, often idealized romantic attraction; deeply enamored. It is typically used informally and can suggest that the person has been emotionally overwhelmed by love.
- Affected by strong romantic attraction, usually in an intense, emotional, and somewhat idealized way.
"She was completely lovestruck after spending the evening with him."
"The young couple remained lovestruck long after the party ended."
"His friends teased him for being lovestruck and ignoring everything else."
Lovestruck is a wonderfully expressive word for the moment when romantic feelings take over completely and reason becomes hard to find.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of lovestruck
“Lovestruck” is a compound formed in the 19th century from “love” and “struck.” The element “struck” comes from the past participle of “strike,” originally conveying the idea of being hit or overcome by a powerful force. The combination therefore describes a person who has been emotionally overcome by love. The word belongs to a family of English compounds using “love” and “strike,” while also echoing the older sense of “stricken,” as in being struck by grief, illness, or calamity.
Related word forms
How lovestruck is actually used
Informal and usually affectionate or mildly teasing. It can be used seriously, but often conveys a sense of emotional infatuation or romantic excitement.
Easily confused with lovestruck
“Lovestruck” and “love-struck” are variant spellings of the same adjective; the unhyphenated form is more common in modern usage.