Enamor vs. Enamour: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Enamor vs. Enamour often confuses writers because both mean love or admiration, yet their spelling changes by region. Enamor is standard in American English, while enamour is used in British writing. This difference doesn’t alter meaning, but knowing it ensures your sentences feel natural and polished for your audience.

Students often struggle with these small distinctions, but focusing on meaning first-love, admiration, and emotional warmth helps. With practice, both enamor and enamour become familiar, and using the right form feels effortless. Understanding this nuance improves clarity, precision, and the emotional tone of your writing.

Why This Matters

A reader once wrote to a writing forum:

“I hesitate every time I want to write about love. Should I say enamored or enamoured? I never know which looks right.”

If you’ve felt that hesitation, you’re not alone. These two spellings of the same word confuse because they appear in different English varieties and in different texts.

You’ll learn:

• What enamor and enamour mean
• How their spelling changes by region
• How to use them correctly in writing
• Examples that make it obvious
• Common mistakes to avoid

What Do Enamor and Enamour Mean?

At the core, enamor and enamour are the same word. They both mean:

to fill someone with love, admiration, or a deep liking for something or someone.

It describes a strong liking or affection. For example:

• I’m enamored with her courage.
• They became enamoured of each other at first sight.

The difference isn’t in meaning. It’s mainly in spelling.

Why Two Spellings Exist

Understanding the spelling difference starts with history.

Etymology: A Quick History

Words don’t appear out of thin air. They evolve.

Origin Stage	Form
Latin	inamorare
Old French	enamourer
Middle English	enamour and variations

Both enamor and enamour entered English through French influence. Over time, variations stuck in different English‑speaking regions.

American vs. British English

English speakers split into dialects across the world. Just like color vs. colour or theater vs. theatre, one spelling became standard in America and another in the UK.

• American English favors enamor (e.g., to be enamored of…)
• British English favors enamour (e.g., to be enamoured with…)

Style guides and dictionaries in each region back their local spelling, and writers tend to follow that.

Regional Spelling Preferences

Language isn’t rigid. It shifts with geography, history, and usage.

Where Enamor Appears Most

• United States
• Canada (often, but Canadian English sometimes leans British)
• International businesses writing in US style

Where Enamour Is Standard

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Australia and New Zealand (often British‑influenced)

A simple way to remember it:

If you’re writing for an American audience, use enamor. For British or Commonwealth audiences, use enamour.

This is not a rule set in stone, but it matches most modern writing conventions.

How Dictionaries Treat Enamor and Enamour

Most major dictionaries list both spellings because both are real and valid. They note the region where each is more common.

What They Say (Summary)

American dictionaries (e.g., Merriam‑Webster)

• List enamor as preferred
• Mention enamour as a variant

British dictionaries (e.g., Oxford English Dictionary)

• List enamour as primary
• Include enamor as a less common alternative

This dual listing reflects real use. Not every English word has this split, but many do when American and British speakers developed preferences differently.

Using Enamor in Real Writing

Now to the practical part – how you use enamor in real contexts.

Everyday Speech and Writing

This is how people use the word in normal communication.

Examples:

• I’m completely enamored with this book.
• She became enamored of his ideas after the first meeting.
• The team was enamored by the new design.

These fit right into speech, email, blogs, and casual writing without drawing attention to the spelling.

Professional and Academic Use

Here, it’s still enamor in the US:

• The authors were enamored with the innovative framework.
• Researchers became enamored of this new methodology.

It’s not formal jargon – it’s simply correct usage in context.

Creative Writing

In novels, poetry, and narrative writing, enamor adds an emotional tone. Use it when you want to show deep affection or admiration:

He was enamored with the echo of her laughter in the empty hallways.

It paints a feeling, not just a description.

Using Enamour in Context

If enamor dominates American usage, where does enamour shine?

British English

In UK‑based publications, enamour fits the local spelling:

• She was enamoured with the seaside town.
• They soon became enamoured of the poet’s rhythm.

British grammar books and examples in newspapers prefer this spelling.

Literature and Style

Writers sometimes choose enamour for rhythm or tone, even in international works. It can feel more poetic or classical.

Example:

The knight was enamoured by legends as much as by battles.

This makes it ideal for storytelling where the British style is intended.

Side‑by‑Side Examples

To make this clear, here’s a table showing how the same idea looks in American and British English.

Context	American (enamor)	British (enamour)
Everyday	I’m enamored of this city.	I’m enamoured of this city.
Academic	They were enamored by the concept.	They were enamoured by the concept.
Narrative	He was enamored with her wit.	He was enamoured with her wit.

You’ll notice the meaning stays the same in every case – only the spelling changes.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

People slip up when they mix styles, or when they aren’t sure which spelling fits the audience.

Mistake #1 – Mixing Spellings in One Piece

Wrong:

“She was enamored with the idea, and soon she was enamoured by the results.”

Use consistent spelling throughout your piece.

Fix:
Choose one based on your audience and stick to it.

Mistake #2 – Using the Wrong Preposition

Both spellings tend to take prepositions like with or of, but there’s no strict rule. The choice depends on tone and flow.

Examples:

• Enamored with the music (very common)
• Enamored of the music (slightly more formal)

Mistake #3 – Believing They Mean Different Things

This is the biggest misconception. They mean the same thing. They’re like color and colour, not like affect and effect.

Quick Usage Rules

Here’s a cheat sheet you can keep handy:

• Use enamor in American English
• Use enamour in British English
• Meaning stays the same
• Stay consistent throughout your document
• Both are acceptable in global writing if you pick either and stick with it

This helps both clarity and professionalism.

Case Studies: Real Usage Examples

Let’s look at how real writers use these spellings.

Case Study #1: American Publishing

A US‑based online magazine wrote:

“Readers quickly grew enamored of the new author’s vivid voice.”

That fits the American pattern: enamored with ‑or ending.

Case Study #2: British Newspaper

A London paper published:

“Local youth were enamoured with the upcoming arts festival.”

They chose enamoured with ‑our ending, consistent with UK usage.

Case Study #3: Global Blog

An international travel blog mixed styles. One author wrote enamoured and another edited to enamored for consistency with their style standards.

Key takeaway: Style matters more than dictionary options.

Expert Quotes

Here’s what language experts say about this topic:

“Both forms exist because English has split into different spelling systems around the world. Neither is wrong; each serves its audience.”
– Lexicographer, Language Today

And another:

“Choose one style and be consistent. Inconsistent spelling distracts more than the choice itself.”
– Editorial Director, International Press

Experts agree that clarity and consistency beat pedantry every time.

A Simple Decision Tree

Here’s a quick guide you can follow when you’re unsure:

Is your audience in the US? – Yes → Use *enamor*

No → Is your audience in the UK or the Commonwealth? – Yes → Use *enamour*

Still unsure? – Choose one, use it consistently

It’s straightforward and practical.

Quick Reference Table: Enamor vs. Enamour

Feature	Enamor	Enamour
Meaning	Same	Same
American English	Preferred	Secondary
British English	Acceptable	Preferred
Formal Writing	Yes	Yes
Creative Writing	Yes	Yes

This table puts the key differences front and center.

What You Should Remember

Let’s wrap this up in plain language:

• Enamor and enamour are the same word with the same meaning.
• The only real difference is spelling based on region.
• Americans say enamor; Brits say enamour.
• Use whichever fits your audience – and stay consistent.

You now have the knowledge to make confident writing choices. No more hesitation. Use this in emails, essays, content, novels, and anywhere else words matter.

Ready to Write Like a Pro?

Now that you’ve mastered Enamor vs. Enamour, you’ll never guess again. You’ll write confidently, clearly, and correctly – no matter which side of the Atlantic you’re writing for.

If you want help crafting example sentences or fixing your own paragraphs, just ask!

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between enamor and enamour comes down to one simple fact: they are the same word with the same meaning. Both describe being filled with love, admiration, or a strong liking for something or someone. The distinction lies purely in regional spelling preferences. American English favors enamor, while British English prefers enamour. Choosing the correct form isn’t just about following rules; it’s about connecting with your audience. Using the wrong spelling can create subtle confusion or make writing appear careless, especially in professional or formal contexts.

Beyond regional differences, these words appear across literature, creative writing, journalism, and everyday speech. In novels or poetry, an author might choose enamour for its classic or poetic tone, whereas enamor often feels modern and natural in American texts. Understanding context, audience, and style guide recommendations is key.

Consistency is crucial. Switching between enamor and enamour in the same text will confuse readers, distract from your message, and appear unpolished. Stick with the spelling appropriate for your audience and maintain it throughout. Also, note that prepositions may vary – both enamored with and enamored of are correct, depending on tone and formality.

By learning the origins, usage patterns, and style recommendations, you can confidently integrate these words into writing. Whether for creative work, professional documents, or casual communication, knowing when and how to use enamor or enamour ensures clarity and authority. These words, though small, convey emotion and appreciation in a way that enhances your writing, giving it sophistication without complexity. Armed with this knowledge, you can write naturally, appeal to readers on both sides of the Atlantic, and avoid the common mistakes that trip up many writers.

FAQs

What is the correct spelling: enamor or enamour?

Both are correct. Enamor is standard in American English, while enamour is standard in British and Commonwealth English. The meaning remains the same, so your choice depends on the audience. In formal writing, follow your style guide. For creative writing, either spelling works as long as you remain consistent.

Can I use enamor in British English?

Yes, it is understood, but it is less common. British readers expect enamour, especially in literature, journalism, or academic writing. Using enamor may not be incorrect, but maintaining consistency with local spelling norms ensures your writing feels professional and natural to the audience.

Are enamor and enamour interchangeable?

Meaning-wise, yes, they are interchangeable. Both convey love, admiration, or strong liking. The only difference is regional spelling. Ensure you don’t mix spellings within the same text, as inconsistency distracts readers and can reduce credibility, particularly in formal writing.

Which prepositions should I use with enamor or enamour?

Both with and of are correct, depending on tone and formality. For example, enamored with the idea is common in conversational English, while enamored of the idea feels slightly more formal or literary. British English follows the same pattern using enamoured.

How do I decide which spelling to use in creative writing?

Consider audience, tone, and style. Use enamor for American readers or modern settings. Use enamour for British readers or classical, poetic, or historical contexts. Always maintain consistent spelling throughout your work, and let rhythm or stylistic preference guide your choice in narrative or dialogue.