Smite vs. Smote vs. Smitten – Which is Correct?

“Smite,” “smote,” and “smitten” are all valid forms of the irregular verb “to smite,” meaning to strike or hit. Smite is the base form and present tense. Smote is the simple past tense. Smitten is the past participle, often used as an adjective meaning deeply affected, especially by love.

Smite, Smote, or Smitten – Which is Correct?

The confusion between “smite,” “smote,” and “smitten” arises because they are different conjugations of the same irregular verb, “to smite.” Unlike regular verbs that simply add “-ed” for their past tense and past participle, “smite” changes its form entirely. Understanding their roles as present tense, simple past tense, and past participle/adjective is key to using them correctly.

For those grappling with common errors, understanding the distinction between Smited vs. Smote is crucial for proper usage.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

The easiest way to remember the difference is to associate each word with its corresponding verb tense structure. Think of other irregular verbs like “write, wrote, written” or “drive, drove, driven.”

• Smite: Use with “I smite,” “They smite,” or as an infinitive “to smite.” (Present tense or base form)
• Smote: Use with “I smote,” “He smote,” or “They smote.” (Simple past tense)
• Smitten: Use with “I have smitten,” “He was smitten,” or as an adjective “a smitten admirer.” (Past participle, often with “have/has” or “be” verbs, or as an adjective)

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Smite	Verb (Base/Present)	To strike with a firm blow; to afflict or punish.	The gods often smite those who defy them.
Smote	Verb (Simple Past)	Struck with a firm blow; afflicted or punished (past tense of smite).	He smote the enemy with his mighty sword.
Smitten	Verb (Past Participle)/Adjective	Struck, afflicted; deeply affected by love or admiration.	She was utterly smitten with her new puppy.

How to Use Smite

“Smite” is the base form of the verb. It is used in the present tense (e.g., “I smite,” “they smite,” “he smites”), as an infinitive (“to smite”), and in command form. While historically common, its usage today often carries a formal, archaic, or even biblical tone, particularly when referring to physical striking or divine punishment. In modern, casual speech, “hit” or “strike” are far more common.

Example 1: In ancient texts, deities would often smite their adversaries with lightning bolts.

Example 2: The warrior vowed to smite down any foe who dared challenge his kingdom.

Example 3: Every time he speaks, he manages to smite the hearts of his listeners with his powerful rhetoric.

What are the different forms of Smite?

“Smite” is an irregular verb, meaning it does not follow the standard “-ed” ending for its past tense and past participle. Its principal parts are:

• Base Form (Infinitive/Present Simple): smite (e.g., to smite, I smite)
• Present Participle: smiting (e.g., smiting the enemy)
• Simple Past Tense: smote (e.g., he smote the bell)
• Past Participle: smitten (e.g., he has smitten, I am smitten)

Etymology of the word Smite

The word “smite” originates from the Old English word smītan, meaning “to smear, pollute, strike, or dash.” Its roots can be traced back to Proto-Germanic smitanan, which also carried the sense of “to throw, cast, or strike.” Over centuries, the meaning evolved, predominantly settling on “to strike” or “to afflict,” often with a sense of force or divine intervention.

How to Use Smote

“Smote” is the simple past tense form of the verb “to smite.” It describes an action of striking, hitting, or afflicting that occurred in the past. Like “smite,” “smote” also carries an archaic or literary feel, making it less common in everyday conversation but still present in more formal or narrative contexts.

Example 1: The giant smote the ground with his fist, causing a tremor.

Example 2: David smote Goliath with a single stone from his sling, as the ancient story tells.

Example 3: A sudden realization smote him, making him pause his hurried steps.

What are the different forms of Smote?

“Smote” is itself a specific form of the verb “to smite,” serving as its simple past tense. It does not have further conjugations. When discussing the verb’s overall forms, “smite” is the base, “smote” is the past tense, and “smitten” is the past participle.

Etymology of the word Smote

As the past tense of “smite,” “smote” shares the same etymological lineage. It derives from the strong past tense conjugation of the Old English verb smītan. The vowel change (from ‘i’ to ‘o’) is characteristic of strong verbs in Germanic languages, reflecting a pattern of internal vowel mutation (ablaut) to indicate tense.

How to Use Smitten

“Smitten” is the past participle of “to smite.” It is most commonly used in two ways:

1. As part of perfect tenses or passive voice: “The rock has smitten the target.” (Less common in modern English).
2. As an adjective: This is its most frequent and distinct modern usage. When used adjectivally, “smitten” means “deeply affected by an intense feeling,” especially love or admiration. It implies being struck or overcome by emotion.

Example 1: From the moment they met, he was utterly smitten with her charm and wit.

Example 2: The old tree had been smitten by lightning many years ago, leaving a permanent scar.

Example 3: She looked at the newborn baby, clearly smitten by its tiny perfection.

What are the different forms of Smitten?

“Smitten” serves as the past participle of “smite.” When used as an adjective, it can form comparative and superlative degrees:

• Positive: smitten (e.g., very smitten)
• Comparative: more smitten (e.g., even more smitten than before)
• Superlative: most smitten (e.g., the most smitten person in the room)

Etymology of the word Smitten

“Smitten” also traces its origins back to the Old English smītan. As the past participle, its form reflects the historical conjugation patterns of strong verbs, where the past participle often ended in “-en” or a similar suffix, accompanied by a vowel change in the root. The adjectival sense of being “struck by love” emerged later, likely from the broader meaning of being “struck” or “affected” by something.

Related Concepts

Understanding a broader grammar concept like irregular verbs and past participles helps clarify the proper usage of “smite,” “smote,” and “smitten.”

• Irregular Verbs: These are verbs that do not follow the typical pattern of adding “-ed” to form their simple past tense and past participle. Instead, they often change their vowel sounds or have entirely different forms (e.g., sing, sang, sung; go, went, gone). “Smite” is a classic example of an irregular verb.
• Past Participles as Adjectives: Many past participles (the “-en,” “-ed,” or irregular form of a verb) can function as adjectives, describing a noun. For instance, “broken” (from break) describes a “broken window,” and “smitten” describes a “smitten lover.”

Examples from Media and Literature

• “And the Lord smote him, and he died there by the ark of God.” – 2 Samuel 6:7 (King James Bible)
• “He was utterly smitten with her, and she, in turn, found herself drawn to his quiet strength.” – Fictional narrative
• “The hero did not hesitate to smite the monster, ending its reign of terror.” – Fantasy novel
• “The entire audience seemed smitten by the young musician’s performance.” – Concert review
• “A bolt of lightning smote the ancient oak, splitting its trunk in two.” – Nature documentary narration

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The queen vowed to _______ anyone who betrayed her trust.
2. He looked at her with eyes that were clearly _______.
3. The ancient warrior _______ his shield against the enemy’s spear.
4. Have you ever been so _______ with a piece of art that you couldn’t look away?
5. They say a powerful curse will _______ those who disturb the tomb.

Answer Key

1. smite
2. smitten
3. smote
4. smitten
5. smite

Smite Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Strike	To hit forcibly and deliberately.
Hit	To strike with a blow or missile.
Afflict	(Figurative) To cause pain or suffering to; to trouble grievously.
Punish	To inflict a penalty or sanction on someone as retribution for an offense.

Smitten Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Infatuated	Possessed with an intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone.
Enchanted	Filled with delight; charmed.
Captivated	Attracted and held the attention of; charmed.
Enamored	In love with; charmed by.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “smite” still used today?
“Smite” is primarily used in formal, literary, or archaic contexts today, often with religious or mythological connotations. While less common in casual conversation, its past participle “smitten” is still widely used, especially in the sense of being deeply affected by love.

Question 2: What does it mean to be “smitten”?
To be “smitten” means to be suddenly and intensely affected by something, most commonly by love or admiration. It implies being completely captivated or infatuated with someone or something.

Question 3: Can “smite” be a noun?
No, “smite” is exclusively a verb. It refers to the action of striking or afflicting. There is no common noun form derived directly from “smite” that carries the same meaning.

Conclusion

The trio of “smite,” “smote,” and “smitten” represents the past, present, and perfect forms of an irregular verb with a rich history. While “smite” and “smote” often lend a formal or archaic tone, “smitten” remains a vibrant and commonly used adjective, particularly when describing the overwhelming feeling of being in love. Mastering these distinctions not only enhances your vocabulary but also allows for more precise and evocative communication.

Pro Tip: When unsure, remember the pattern of other irregular verbs like “drive, drove, driven.” If you can substitute “smite” with “drive” in the same tense, you’re likely using the correct form.