SKIP TO CONTENT

coup de foudre

/ku də ˈfudrə/
IPA guide

Other forms: coups de foudre

A coup de foudre is a sudden, overwhelming feeling or event, used most commonly to describe falling in love at first sight.

This French idiom literally translates to a "bolt of lightning" or "thunderbolt," but you'll rarely hear it used in meteorology, at least in English. Instead, it's used figuratively to describe the shock and suddenness of immediately falling in love with someone — or with something, like a place or a vocation. It's unexpected, sudden, powerful, and shocking. While almost always used in a romantic context, the term is occasionally used to describe a shocking discovery or a catastrophic event that changes everything in an instant.

Definitions of coup de foudre
  1. noun
    a sudden, shocking or amazing event or experience, especially falling in love at first sight
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘coup de foudre'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family