Captivate: meaning, definitions and examples
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captivate
[ ˈkæptɪˌveɪt ]
in a conversation
To attract and hold the attention of someone by being interesting, charming, or entertaining.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| captivate |
Use when describing something or someone that strongly attracts and holds the interest and attention of others.
|
| charm |
Best used when referring to a pleasing or attractive quality that evokes affection or delight. It often implies a softer, more personal appeal.
|
| enchant |
Typically used when describing something or someone that utterly delights or mesmerizes, often with a magical or spell-like quality.
|
| fascinate |
Ideal for situations where something arouses intense interest or curiosity, often to the point of being irresistible.
|
Examples of usage
- She captivated the audience with her storytelling.
- His charisma captivated everyone in the room.
- Their performance captivated the judges.
in a romantic context
To attract and hold the interest and affection of someone in a romantic or sexual way.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| captivate |
Use in situations where something or someone attracts and holds your attention due to charm or beauty. Often used in a positive sense.
|
| bewitch |
Best suited for situations where something or someone seems to have a magical hold over you, often making you feel enchanted or enchanted. This term can have a slightly negative or mysterious connotation.
|
| mesmerize |
Often used when someone or something holds you spellbound or hypnotized. This word carries a strong implication of being unable to look away. It can sometimes have a slightly negative or overpowering connotation.
|
| entrance |
Use when something or someone makes you feel absorbed or hypnotized, often to the point where you lose awareness of your surroundings. This word can convey a sense of deep, almost magical absorption.
|
Examples of usage
- He was captivated by her beauty.
- She captivated him with her smile.
- They were both captivated by each other's presence.
Translations
Translations of the word "captivate" in other languages:
🇵🇹 cativar
🇮🇳 मोहित करना
🇩🇪 fesseln
🇮🇩 memikat
🇺🇦 зачаровувати
🇵🇱 oczarować
🇯🇵 魅了する (miryō suru)
🇫🇷 captiver
🇪🇸 cautivar
🇹🇷 büyülemek
🇰🇷 매혹하다 (maehokhada)
🇸🇦 أسر
🇨🇿 uchvátit
🇸🇰 uchvátiť
🇨🇳 吸引 (xīyǐn)
🇸🇮 očarati
🇮🇸 heilla
🇰🇿 елеңдету
🇬🇪 მოსწონს
🇦🇿 ovsunlamaq
🇲🇽 cautivar
Etymology
The word 'captivate' originated from the Latin word 'captivare', which means 'to take captive'. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to signify attracting and holding someone's attention or affection. The concept of captivation has been a key element in human interaction and storytelling throughout history, as people have always sought to captivate one another with their words and actions.