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Enchant Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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enchant

[ɪnˈtʃant ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

magical spell

To fill someone with great delight or captivate them through the use of magic or sorcery.

Synonyms

bewitch, captivate, charm.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
enchant

Used when something or someone creates a magical feeling or deep admiration, often in a positive, almost fairy-tale-like way.

  • The beautiful garden enchanted everyone who walked through it
  • The storybook enchanted the children with its marvelous tales
bewitch

Implies a magical, often spell-like influence. It can have a slightly negative or mysterious connotation, suggesting being under someone's control.

  • The mysterious woman bewitched the audience with her captivating performance
  • He felt bewitched by her intense stare
charm

Conveys a sense of delight brought about by subtle attractiveness or pleasantness, often used for personal interactions.

  • He charmed everyone at the party with his funny stories
  • The little village charmed the tourists with its quaint streets
captivate

Describes something or someone that holds someone’s attention and interest completely, often due to beauty or charm.

  • The singer's voice captivated the entire audience
  • The intricate details of the painting captivated all who saw it

Examples of usage

  • She was enchanted by the mystical music.
  • The young girl was enchanted by the fairy tale.
Context #2 | Verb

charming

To attract and hold the attention of someone in a delightful or magical way.

Synonyms

entrance, fascinate, mesmerize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
enchant

This word is often used to describe feeling delighted or charmed, especially by something magical or beautiful.

  • The fairytale enchanted the children with its magical characters.
  • I was enchanted by the garden's beauty.
fascinate

Use this word when talking about something that deeply interests someone. It doesn't necessarily imply a magical or overwhelming aspect.

  • Space travel fascinates many scientists.
  • She is fascinated by ancient civilizations.
entrance

This word is typically used to describe captivating someone's attention so much that they are almost in a trance. It's often used in more intense or dramatic situations.

  • The dancer's performance entranced the entire audience.
  • He was entranced by the firework display.
mesmerize

Use mesmerize when describing something that captures all of someone's attention, often in a way that is almost hypnotic. This word sometimes carries a slightly negative connotation, implying a loss of self-control.

  • The snake mesmerized its prey before striking.
  • The singer's voice was so beautiful that it mesmerized the audience.

Examples of usage

  • The picturesque view enchanted the tourists.
  • His storytelling skills enchanted the audience.
Context #3 | Noun

magic

A charm or spell that has the power to captivate or delight.

Synonyms

hex, incantation, spell.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
enchant

This word is used to describe a situation when someone or something is so charming or attractive that it captivates people. It can also imply a magical influence, but often in a positive sense.

  • The storyteller's voice was so enchanting that everyone listened in awe.
  • The garden was enchanted with beautiful flowers and lights.
spell

This word is used for a general term referring to a set of magical words or actions intended to produce a specific effect, which can be good or bad. It is often used in both positive and negative contexts.

  • She cast a spell to heal the wounded bird.
  • He feared that a dark spell was making him sick.
incantation

This word is used to describe a series of words said as a magic spell or charm. It often implies a formal or ritualistic context.

  • The wizard chanted an incantation to summon the spirits.
  • The ancient scroll contained incantations for protection.
hex

This word is used when referring to casting a spell meant to bring bad luck or harm. It has a negative connotation and is often associated with malicious intent.

  • The old witch put a hex on the village, causing misfortune to everyone.
  • He believed he was hexed after everything started going wrong.

Examples of usage

  • She cast an enchant over the forest to protect it.
  • The old book contained powerful enchantments.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In classic fairy tales, a 'witch' or 'wizard' often enchants a character or setting, creating magical transformations.
  • Shakespeare's works frequently feature enchanting elements, such as the spirits in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' that charm various characters.
  • Enchanting prose can mesmerize readers, making them feel as if they are under a spell, pulling them deeper into the story.

Psychology

  • Experiences that are enchanting often trigger positive emotions, leading to a prolonged sense of happiness.
  • The concept of enchantment is linked to moments of awe, where something significantly surpasses our expectations and captivates our attention.
  • Engaging with art or music can create an enchanting experience, evoking feelings of wonder and delight.

Pop Culture

  • Movies like 'Harry Potter' showcase enchantment in their magic systems, where spells create wonder and excitement.
  • Enchanting characters often include unicorns, fairies, and mythical creatures, which capture our imagination in popular media.
  • In various music genres, songs can be described as enchanting when their melodies transport listeners to another emotional realm.

Cultural Significance

  • Many cultures have folklore about enchanting beings or spirits that can alter reality, highlighting our fascination with magic.
  • Festivals celebrating the enchanting beauty of nature often include fairy lights, reminiscent of magical twinkling stars.
  • Artworks that capture enchanting themes can influence style trends, inviting viewers into dreamlike worlds.

Origin of 'enchant'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin word 'incantare', meaning 'to sing' or 'to chant', which reflects a magical quality.
  • In Old French, 'enchanter' translates to 'to charm', showing its connection to captivating others.
  • The prefix 'en-' is used in many words to indicate an action of putting into a certain state, while 'chant' relates to the notion of singing spells or invoking magic.

The word 'enchant' originated from the Old French word 'enchanter', which came from the Latin word 'incantare' meaning 'to chant a magic spell'. It has been used in English since the 14th century to refer to the act of casting spells or charming someone with magic.

See also: chant, chanted, chanter, chanting, chants.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,016 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.