enthrall

verb

en·thrall in-ˈthrȯl How to pronounce enthrall (audio)

en-

variants or enthral

enthralled; enthralling

transitive verb

: to hold spellbound : charm

: to hold in or reduce to slavery

enthrallment

in-ˈthrȯl-mənt How to pronounce enthrall (audio)

en-

noun

Did you know?

In Middle English, enthrallen meant "to hold in thrall." Thrall then, as now, meant "bondage" or "slavery"; it comes from an Old Norse word, thraell, which is probably related to an Old High German word for "servant." An early figurative use of enthrall appeared in the following advice from the 16th century, translated from a Latin text by Thomas Newton: "A man should not … enthrall his credit and honour to Harlots." But we rarely use even this sense of mental or moral enslavement anymore. Today the word is often used in its participle form, enthralled, which sometimes means "temporarily spellbound" ("we listened, enthralled, to the old woman's oral history"), but more often suggests a state of being generally captivated, delighted, or taken by some particular thing.

Example Sentences

enthralled by the flickering fire in the hearth, we lost all track of time for years these master magicians have been enthralling audiences with their astounding illusions

Recent Examples on the Web Packing their shtick into a speedy 87 minutes, returning director Kyle Balda delivers a perfectly painless romp that should enthrall kids, entertain adults and keep Minion cosplayers employed for many a birthday party to come.

Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 28 June 2022 Yong offers these facts in a generous spirit, clearly aware that part of what will enthrall readers is discovering just how few of these facts many of us have known.

Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 22 June 2022 Adam Rapp, and the entire cast and crew, season two is sure to enthrall viewers who enjoy premium content.

Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 June 2022 These are sometimes nested, the thread connecting them not one hero but the tellers themselves, who masterfully choreograph narrative techniques—cliffhangers, innuendo, unreliability—to enthrall the reader.

Namwali Serpell, The New York Review of Books, 6 July 2022 Written by a marine biologist and illustrated by an artist in coastal Spain, this wondrous compendium will enthrall beachcombers and landlubbers alike.

New York Times, 22 June 2022 Bravado would see their son and scoop him up and whisk him toward the backstage area on the ship to enthrall the crowd even more.

Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2021 The portrayal is absorbing, committed and morbidly fascinating—one of the more memorable aspects of the Holmes persona was her unnaturally deep voice, which seemed intended to enthrall and probably did.

John Anderson, WSJ, 28 Feb. 2022 Your zone of genius areas are your interests that engage and enthrall you.

Julia Wuench, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2022 See More

单词	enthrall
释义	enthrall verb en·thrall in-ˈthrȯl en- variants or enthral enthralled; enthralling transitive verb 1 : to hold spellbound : charm 2 : to hold in or reduce to slavery enthrallment in-ˈthrȯl-mənt en- noun Did you know? In Middle English, enthrallen meant "to hold in thrall." Thrall then, as now, meant "bondage" or "slavery"; it comes from an Old Norse word, thraell, which is probably related to an Old High German word for "servant." An early figurative use of enthrall appeared in the following advice from the 16th century, translated from a Latin text by Thomas Newton: "A man should not … enthrall his credit and honour to Harlots." But we rarely use even this sense of mental or moral enslavement anymore. Today the word is often used in its participle form, enthralled, which sometimes means "temporarily spellbound" ("we listened, enthralled, to the old woman's oral history"), but more often suggests a state of being generally captivated, delighted, or taken by some particular thing. Synonyms arrest bedazzle catch up enchant fascinate grip hypnotize mesmerize spellbind See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences enthralled by the flickering fire in the hearth, we lost all track of time for years these master magicians have been enthralling audiences with their astounding illusions Recent Examples on the Web Packing their shtick into a speedy 87 minutes, returning director Kyle Balda delivers a perfectly painless romp that should enthrall kids, entertain adults and keep Minion cosplayers employed for many a birthday party to come. Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 28 June 2022 Yong offers these facts in a generous spirit, clearly aware that part of what will enthrall readers is discovering just how few of these facts many of us have known. Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 22 June 2022 Adam Rapp, and the entire cast and crew, season two is sure to enthrall viewers who enjoy premium content. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 June 2022 These are sometimes nested, the thread connecting them not one hero but the tellers themselves, who masterfully choreograph narrative techniques—cliffhangers, innuendo, unreliability—to enthrall the reader. Namwali Serpell, The New York Review of Books, 6 July 2022 Written by a marine biologist and illustrated by an artist in coastal Spain, this wondrous compendium will enthrall beachcombers and landlubbers alike. New York Times, 22 June 2022 Bravado would see their son and scoop him up and whisk him toward the backstage area on the ship to enthrall the crowd even more. Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2021 The portrayal is absorbing, committed and morbidly fascinating—one of the more memorable aspects of the Holmes persona was her unnaturally deep voice, which seemed intended to enthrall and probably did. John Anderson, WSJ, 28 Feb. 2022 Your zone of genius areas are your interests that engage and enthrall you. Julia Wuench, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English First Known Use 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2 Kids Definition enthrall verb en·thrall in-ˈthrȯl enthralled; enthralling : to hold the attention of completely The show enthralls audiences. enthrall verb variants or enthral 1 as in to fascinate to hold the attention of as if by a spell enthralled by the flickering fire in the hearth, we lost all track of time Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance fascinate enchant mesmerize hypnotize grip spellbind arrest thrill bedazzle enrapture bewitch catch up entrance engross beguile charm engage involve absorb 2 as in to delight to fill with overwhelming emotion (as wonder or delight) for years these master magicians have been enthralling audiences with their astounding illusions Synonyms & Similar Words delight please enrapture excite charm ravish entrance rapture satisfy captivate carry away fascinate rap enchant gladden knock dead gratify bewitch transport knock one's socks off elate exhilarate stir 3 as in to occupy to hold the attention of a play that will enthrall you for two hours Synonyms & Similar Words occupy interest intrigue involve engross fascinate bemuse engage distract captivate attract immerse busy mesmerize charm enwrap absorb bewitch beguile hypnotize enchant grip catch one's eye catch up obsess allure preoccupy monopolize hog Antonyms & Near Antonyms bore weary pall tire jade
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enthrall

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

verb

verb