love at first sight

Idioms

An instantaneous attraction to someone or something. For example, With Peter and Constance, it was a case of love at first sight, or When Dave saw that car, it was love at first sight. This expression was already used by Chaucer for romantic attraction in Troilus and Cressida: “She loved right from the first sight.” The transfer to objects dates from the first half of the 1900s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Although the couple were not “looking to move,” when they came across their current Connecticut property, it was love at first sight—but they did want to change some things.

From MarketWatch

Sarah said: "I was calling it love at first sight and trying to do everything to make sure Malcolm felt the same, but I didn't have to work that hard."

From BBC

He described it as "love at first sight" when he saw the cottage after it came up for sale.

From BBC

Colin and Pamela have known each other for four years, and according to Colin, it was love at first sight.

From BBC

It’s so recognizable because that’s always what love at first sight is.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023