rivet

verb

/ˈrɪvɪt/

[usually passive]

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they rivet	/ˈrɪvɪt/ /ˈrɪvɪt/
he / she / it rivets	/ˈrɪvɪts/ /ˈrɪvɪts/
past simple riveted	/ˈrɪvɪtɪd/ /ˈrɪvɪtɪd/
past participle riveted	/ˈrɪvɪtɪd/ /ˈrɪvɪtɪd/
-ing form riveting	/ˈrɪvɪtɪŋ/ /ˈrɪvɪtɪŋ/

Idioms

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to hold somebody’s interest or attention so completely that they cannot look away or think of anything else
- be riveted (by something) I was absolutely riveted by her story.
- be riveted on somebody/something My eyes were riveted on the figure lying in the road.
- Public attention was riveted on this topic on both sides of the Atlantic.
- be riveted to something The film keeps you riveted to the screen.
Extra Examples
- He started to speak, and everyone was riveted to him.
- People were absolutely riveted as she described what happened.
- Public attention was riveted on this topic on both sides of the Atlantic.
- The portrait on the wall riveted her attention.
Topics Feelingsc2
rivet something to fasten something with rivets
- The steel plates were riveted together.

Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from river ‘fix, clinch’, of unknown ultimate origin.

Idioms

glued/riveted/rooted to the spot

not able to move, for example because you are frightened or surprised
- I stood riveted to the spot with terror.
Topics Feelingsc2