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engrossing

engrossing

8 5.1
So interesting that it holds your full attention
  • adjective
  • /ɪnˈɡroʊsɪŋ/
translation icon : absorbente
  • She finished the engrossing novel in just two days because she couldn't put it down.

And I found this stuff taking me to an absolutely engrossing, fascinating place.

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Examples

  • The engrossing documentary kept everyone in the theater captivated until the end.

  • Who Bombed Judi Bari? is an engrossing account of the case.

    Blog text (28)
  • Yeah, I just, I found this such an engrossing and, and moving story.

  • And I found this stuff taking me to an absolutely engrossing, fascinating place.

  • It's wonderful so many have joined us for what I expect will be an engrossing exploration.

  • But I'm sure it must have been a fun and engrossing exercise for you.

    Blog text (4)
  • Now they are absorbed in the virtual world, similar to being in an engrossing book.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Except, unlike an engrossing book we can't put down, these stories are happening all around us.

    Blog text (32)
  • The Quad is a blog about the fierce competition and engrossing culture of college sports.

    Blog text (15)
  • What happens next is simultaneously creepy and engrossing due to the dreamlike mystery surrounding each scene.

    Blog text (6)

Synonyms

interesting
vsengrossing
1.0

Attracting attention because it is new, exciting, or makes you think

implies a complete hold of attention rather than only attracting it
fascinating
vsengrossing
577 2.0

Very interesting in a way that keeps your attention

is similar but focuses on being exciting rather than extreme charm
compelling
vsengrossing
298 5.1

So strong, interesting, and convincing that people cannot ignore it

focuses on holding attention rather than persuading or proving
riveting
vsengrossing
19 5.6

Makes you unable to stop paying attention

describes the same complete attention but with less urgency
immersive
vsengrossing
15 5.5

It makes you feel like you are inside an experience or place

aims at holding attention fully without creating a sense of presence
enthralling
vsengrossing
7 5.8

Very interesting in a way that keeps your attention

is the basic full hold of attention without extra charm
gripping
vsengrossing
5 3.8

Very exciting and hard to stop watching or reading

shares strong holding power but with less emphasis on excitement
spellbinding
vsengrossing
4 5.8

Makes you watch and listen because it feels like magic

means full attention without implying a magical or unreal cause
entrancing
vsengrossing
1 5.8

So beautiful or interesting that it holds your full attention

is the plain idea of full attention without beauty emphasis
absorbing
vsengrossing
3.9

Very interesting and keeps your full attention

is similar but can be less active in causing focus
grippy
vsengrossing
  • UK
7.0

Exciting in a way that keeps you wanting to know more

is the more neutral way to say attention is fully held
hypnotizing
vsengrossing
4.7

Holding your attention so you cannot stop looking or thinking

describes full attention without suggesting a trance state
unboring
vsengrossing
  • Informal
5.5

Keeps people interested and having fun

means full absorption and complete holding of attention rather than just lively

Antonyms

721 1.0

Not interesting and making you feel tired or impatient

3 3.2

Not interesting or exciting

How Absorbing

riveting
19 5.6
engrossing
8 5.1
engaging
12 3.5
interesting
1.0

Surface Forms

engrossing positive
engrossinger comparative
engrossingest superlative

Morphology

engrossing = engross (transparent) = engross + ing

Standard adjectival use of -ing on the verb 'engross' yields 'engrossing' meaning 'causing complete attention', a straightforward derivation.

Etymology

The word engrossing comes from old French parts en- ('in') and gross ('large' or 'thick'), because the old verb meant to write in big letters that filled a page. So something engrossing is like big writing for your mind — it 'fills' your attention completely.