verklempt

adjective

/ fur-KLEMPT /

Overwhelmed with emotion. Choked up. That lump-in-your-throat, happy-crying, can't-even feeling — heart so full it has absolutely short-circuited.

In a sentence

"She went completely verklempt watching the elderly man learn to FaceTime his granddaughter for the first time."

Bex's take

I went fully verklempt in a Starbucks on a Tuesday watching a video of a grandpa learning to FaceTime his granddaughter. He kept pressing the wrong button and laughing. I was a wreck. The barista asked if I was okay. I said 'it's just allergies.' It was not allergies.

Where it comes from

From Yiddish farklempt, meaning 'seized up' or 'choked.' Entered mainstream English largely through comedy and pop culture.

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Frequently asked

What does verklempt mean?

Overwhelmed with emotion. Choked up. That lump-in-your-throat, happy-crying, can't-even feeling — heart so full it has absolutely short-circuited.

How do you pronounce verklempt?

verklempt is pronounced /fur-KLEMPT/.

How do you use verklempt in a sentence?

She went completely verklempt watching the elderly man learn to FaceTime his granddaughter for the first time.

Where does verklempt come from?

From Yiddish farklempt, meaning 'seized up' or 'choked.' Entered mainstream English largely through comedy and pop culture.