captivate

verb

cap·​ti·​vate ˈkap-tə-ˌvāt 

captivated; captivating

transitive verb

1

: to influence and dominate by some special charm, art, or trait and with an irresistible appeal

We were captivated by her beauty.

The scenery captivated our attention.

2

archaic : seize, capture

captivation

ˌkap-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

captivator

ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• allure
• beguile
• bewitch
• charm
• enchant
• fascinate
• kill
• magnetize
• wile
• witch [archaic]

Choose the Right Synonym for captivate

attract, allure, charm, captivate, fascinate, enchant mean to draw another by exerting a powerful influence.

attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response

charmed by their hospitality

, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

her performances captivated audiences

fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

Examples of captivate in a Sentence

The play has been captivating audiences for years.

the clown captivated the toddlers with his balloon tricks

Recent Examples on the Web

Inspired by travel, art, and design, Fried combines vintage and modern pieces into elegant, polished interiors distinguished by luxe textures and striking accents such as sculptural lighting, shapely furnishings, and captivating art. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025

This monumental win captivated millions worldwide and forever altered the course of women’s sports. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2025

In an age where experience is everything, Universal’s UK resort can pioneer an approach where the journey feels truly continuous — not a sequence of isolated moments, but one connected, captivating narrative. —Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025

Joined by her husband David E. Kelley and former costars Dakota and Elle Fanning, Pfeiffer was this year’s honoree at the TCM Classic Film Festival, recognizing her decades of captivating screen performances. —Jack Smart, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see captive entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for captivate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

captivate

verb

cap·​ti·​vate ˈkap-tə-ˌvāt 

captivated; captivating

: to influence or fascinate by some special charm

captivation

ˌkap-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun