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Glite Dictionary
to enthral

to enthral

7.2
Hold someone's attention completely and make them feel very interested
  • verb
  • /ɪnˈθrɔl/
  • US
translation icon : fascinar
  • The magician's performance enthralled the audience, leaving everyone in awe and wonder.

Examples

  • I'm gonna put on shows That will enthral them

    The Producers (2005)

  • You enthral me

    Evita (1996)

  • The breathtaking scenery enthralled tourists from all over the world, making them linger longer.

  • Her storytelling skills enthralled the children, capturing their attention from the very first word.

Synonyms

to intrigue
vsto enthral
143 5.1

To make someone curious or interested

creates complete attention and deep fascination rather than mere curiosity
to delight
vsto enthral
79 2.1

To please someone very much

centers on capturing attention and deep fascination not just pleasure
to mesmerize
vsto enthral
  • US
39 6.4

To hold someone's full attention as if by magic

does the same but without implying a trance or magical cause
to transport
vsto enthral
  • Archaic
37 7.5

To make someone feel very happy or excited

tends to stress ecstatic feeling rather than steady attention
to rivet
vsto enthral
33 6.1

To hold someone's full attention because something is very interesting or surprising

means deep attraction but with less implied immobility
to enthrall
vsto enthral
20 6.8

To hold someone's full attention by being very interesting

is the identical sense but is an alternative spelling
to captivate
vsto enthral
19 4.2

To attract and hold someone's full attention

focuses more on raw attention and deep fascination rather than charm
to engross
vsto enthral
17 5.8

To hold someone's full attention

causes deep fascination rather than merely occupying the mind
to enchant
vsto enthral
17 4.8

To make someone feel very pleased and amazed as if by magic

is more about focused attention and deep fascination rather than charm
to enrapture
vsto enthral
  • Literature
6 7.8

To make someone feel very happy and amazed

emphasizes focused attention more than pure joyful feeling
to ravish
vsto enthral
  • Literature
6 8.7

To fill someone with great joy and amazement

leans toward holding attention rather than only creating delight
to spellbind
vsto enthral
1 7.0

To hold people completely interested as if by magic

is similar but may lack the implied magic or ritual
to enamor
vsto enthral
  • US
1 7.0

To make someone feel love and admiration for a person or thing

focuses on holding attention and fascination rather than creating affection
to becharm
vsto enthral
  • Archaic
9.9

To use magic or nice words to make someone like and obey you

places more weight on sustained attention than simple charm
to sweep off someone's feet
vsto enthral
  • Informal
4.5

Make someone feel very impressed and strongly attracted

is about sustained attention and fascination rather than romantic infatuation

Antonyms

to bore
15 1.4

To make someone feel tired or not interested by being dull when you speak

How Captivating

to enthral
  • US
7.2
to engage
117 3.5
to interest
206 1.0

Surface Forms

enthral infinitive
enthralled past
enthralled past participle
enthralling present participle
enthrals third person singular

Morphology

enthral = thrall (semi-transparent) = en + thrall + en

The form en- + thrall is morphologically clear, but the modern sense 'fascinate' is a figurative extension from 'enslave/hold in bondage', so learners may not derive the exact meaning.

Etymology

Enthral starts with en- meaning 'make' and ends with thral (like the English word thrall) which meant a 'slave' or someone under another's control, so it once meant 'make someone a slave'. So, to enthral today is to hold someone's attention completely, as if you have them under your control.