captivate

[kap-tuh-veyt]

verb (used with object)

captivated, captivating 

1. to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence; enchant.

   Her blue eyes and red hair captivated him.

   Synonyms: charm, bewitch, fascinate

2. Obsolete.,  to capture; subjugate.

   Synonyms: subdue

captivate

/ ˈkæptɪˌveɪt /

verb

1. to hold the attention of by fascinating; enchant

2. an obsolete word for capture

Other Word Forms

• captivation noun
• captivatingly adverb
• captivator noun
• captivative adjective
• uncaptivated adjective
• uncaptivative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of captivate¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Late Latin captīvātus (past participle of captīvāre “to take captive”), equivalent to Latin captīv(us) captive + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of captivate¹

C16: from Late Latin captivāre, from captīvus _captive

Example Sentences

They’re a captivating trio that one wishes had been given more challenging connective tissue than the loose narrative grid of “Love, Brooklyn.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m captivated by L.A.’s status as an art hub,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

The music still instantly captivates, even if whole swaths of the audience won’t be familiar with the original songs, impudently rewritten for the occasion.

From Los Angeles Times

The tennis failed to captivate as the seats on Arthur Ashe Stadium started to fill out, with a constant murmur of chatter acting as a soundtrack to the action.

From BBC

On the big screen, she captivated audiences with her role as a sangoma, or traditional healer, in the 2004 Oscar-nominated South African film Yesterday.

From BBC

Related Words

• beguile 
• bewitch 
• charm 
• dazzle 
• delight 
• enrapture 
• entertain 
• enthrall 
• fascinate 
• gratify 
• grip 
• hypnotize 
• infatuate 
• intrigue 
• mesmerize 
• please 
• seduce