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to hold

to hold

201 2.2
To keep someone's attention
  • verb
  • /hoʊld/
translation icon : mantener la atención
  • Listen, we can discuss the book on Friday in class if you... ...think the Count can hold their attention.
  • hold the attention
  • hold the interest
  • attract and hold

Indeed, it constantly, obsessively holds our attention.

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Examples

  • Indeed, it constantly, obsessively holds our attention.

  • Workshops that emphasize the interest factor in teaching, which holds and maintains pupil attention, are paramount.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Yeah, but you know how to hold people's attention.

  • At the inn, one suspenseful encounter after another holds the interest of the reader.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The speaker managed to hold the audience's attention with her captivating story.

  • The documentary holds our interest by providing unexpected insights into nature.

  • His humor and charm held the attention of everyone at the party.

Synonyms

to keep
vsto hold
1.0

To continue doing something or stay in the same state

is specifically about retaining attention or interest rather than any general state
to catch
vsto hold
244 2.0

To get someone's attention or interest

is focused on keeping attention over time rather than first attraction
to fascinate
vsto hold
238 3.4

To attract and hold someone's strong interest or attention

is the broader act of retaining attention, not only extreme interest
to seize
vsto hold
68 3.8

Grab and hold someone's attention suddenly and strongly

covers steady retention of attention rather than sudden, intense onset
to grip
vsto hold
50 6.0

To hold someone's attention or emotions strongly

refers more generally to keeping attention without implying frozen reaction
to capture
vsto hold
37 3.0

To attract and hold someone's interest or affection

expresses the same retention of attention or liking in broader terms
to rivet
vsto hold
33 6.1

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

covers the same attraction but can include less intense attention
to arrest
vsto hold
30 5.1

To catch and hold someone's attention

is a more neutral action of retaining attention without forcible stopping
to spellbind
vsto hold
1 7.0

To hold people completely interested as if by magic

is the general term for keeping attention without implying magic or wonder
1 3.2

To attract and keep people's interest

is the general action of keeping attention rather than naming the act specifically
to keep someone hooked
vsto hold
  • Informal
1 4.6

Make someone want to keep watching or reading

is similar but covers any form of retaining attention, not only ongoing engagement
1 4.4

Make someone notice something

implies longer, sustained attention rather than a short, passing notice
to keep captive
vsto hold
6.7

Hold someone's full attention so they cannot think of anything else

means the same retention but not necessarily complete exclusion of other focus

Antonyms

513 2.1

To make someone stop paying attention to what they are doing or thinking about

15 1.4

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

Idioms

169 2.5

Stopped for a short time until someone decides to continue

75 1.2

Ask someone to wait for a short time

to hold a grudge
  • Informal
42 4.8

To feel angry at someone for something they did in the past that hurt you

Make someone do what they promised or take responsibility by pressuring them

to hold the bag
  • Informal
11 8.8

End up responsible for the blame or a problem others avoid

8 6.1

To have control or an advantage in a situation

8 8.2

Tell someone to wait so you can check or explain something

7 5.5

To have complete control and a strong advantage in a situation

Do what you promised in an agreement

4 4.4

Act proudly and confidently, not ashamed

3 5.4

To stay silent to avoid saying something rude

3 4.9

To be in control of a group or business

Ask anyone who objects to speak now or be silent forever

1 8.1

Do not expect it to happen soon or at all

Keep speaking for a long time in a meeting so others cannot speak

1 7.2

Tell someone to wait and be patient

1 9.7

To keep from peeing for a while

1 7.8

Drink alcohol without getting drunk

to hold the baby
  • Informal
1 8.8

To have the only responsibility for a hard problem when others avoid it

8.1

To be able to drink alcohol without getting drunk

9.0

To drink alcohol without becoming very drunk or sick

9.9

A joking request to someone to hold your drink before doing something daring

hold my beer
  • Slang
9.9

A joking way to say you will try something daring or foolish after someone else does

7.5

To do something unpleasant because it is necessary

5.0

Do as well as others in a difficult situation

Keep a wedding ring safely until it is needed in the ceremony

To support two opposite sides at the same time to please both

too hot to hold
  • Informal
7.6

So popular that people buy it very quickly

Phrasal Verbs

to hold on
  • Informal
1.3

To wait for a short time during a phone call

187 3.2

Stop someone or something from moving forward

180 3.0

To keep something and not let it go

173 3.3

To keep trying and not give up when things are hard

163 3.7

To remain strong or effective under pressure

141 2.0

To keep a strong grip on something so it does not fall

139 3.7

To refuse to give up until you get what you want

115 3.4

To support the weight of something so it does not fall

108 4.2

Keep yourself from showing feelings or telling others

90 2.8

To cause a delay in plans or progress

Keep parts or people joined and working as one

89 3.7

To show someone as an example to praise or admire

89 3.5

To put a hand forward to show or give something

78 3.8

To wait before doing something

72 1.6

To keep something instead of selling or giving it away

66 3.2

To contact a person or obtain something you need

65 4.5

To stop yourself from showing strong feelings

61 5.6

Stay calm and control your feelings in a difficult situation

55 4.0

To stop an opponent from moving forward by keeping your position

47 5.6

To stop shooting or attacking and wait before taking action

to hold tight
  • Informal
42 2.2

Grab something firmly with your hands to stay safe

To wait before doing something

To reach someone by phone or message

33 3.8

To begin to control a situation or people's actions

to hold up
  • NSFW
28 5.8

To rob someone using a weapon or threats

25 3.5

To stay loyal to a promise, plan or belief

To take something in your hand

To feel strong dislike and no respect for someone or something

22 3.5

To care about someone or something very much

22 3.2

To keep something low and stop it from getting bigger

21 6.7

Ask someone to wait before saying more about an idea

Grab something or someone with your hands

19 4.5

Take care of a place or job while someone is away

17 3.2

Keep something for later use

Keep something or someone in place and still

16 3.5

Wait before doing something because you feel unsure

15 3.9

To keep a job or position during difficult times

15 2.0

To grasp something with your hands

15 3.9

To last long enough when supplies or power are low

14 3.7

Keep something available while you delay a final decision

To wait on the phone without hanging up

12 4.9

To make sense and seem believable when checked

11 5.5

To stay firmly attached to something or keep believing strongly in an idea

To stop breathing for a short time or wait anxiously

10 2.8

To comfort and guide someone who feels anxious or unsure

9 4.5

To refuse to change your opinion or decision despite pressure

9 6.6

To have power over people or situations

To keep a job for a long time despite problems

8 5.8

Do your share of the work in a group

To refuse to change a decision or rule under pressure

To feel a strong emotion suddenly that controls you

To get people to listen and enjoy what you say

Be as good as people expect

Talk for a long time about a subject, like giving a lecture

4 8.3

To agree with an idea or way of doing things

To keep prices or spending at the same level

To keep reminding someone of a past mistake to control them

3 7.2

To threaten someone with secret information to make them obey

1 4.6

To keep something for use or sale after its planned time

To keep a light near someone so they can see what they are doing

to hold a patent
  • Specialized
1 4.8

To have the right given by the government to make or sell an invention

To make you think about the past because of an object or place

Keep a person or thing tightly against your body

To still be correct when people look at it carefully

to hold alcohol
  • Informal
6.8

Can drink alcohol without getting drunk quickly

To stop yourself from making a sound when something is funny

to hold cheap
  • Literature
7.2

To think someone or something has little value

5.5

To stay calm and in control during a difficult situation

To threaten someone with a past mistake to control them

To keep trying to reach a goal even when things are hard

7.5

Allow something unpleasant without complaining

Compounds

18 3.9

A process in which an idea or habit starts to be accepted by many people

16 3.9

A space on a ship or plane that contains goods during transport

15 5.4

A robbery using threats or a sudden delay

choke hold
  • NSFW
7 7.5

A tight arm around someone's neck from behind to stop them moving or make them pass out

3 4.1

A firm grip with the hands or arms that keeps something from moving

1 4.8

A thing you can hold for support, or simple help for someone new

scissor hold
  • Jargon
1 7.8

A position where someone wraps their legs around an opponent's body or head and presses their feet together to squeeze

wrestling hold
  • Specialized
1 4.7

A grip or move used to control an opponent in a match

A big delay that stops or slows progress

7.0

A rule that limits how much something can rise

hold-up play
  • Jargon
5.9

A way a player keeps the ball to let teammates move forward

scissors hold
  • Jargon
8.1

A wrestler wraps their legs around someone's body or head and squeezes them with the feet

How Engaging

to mesmerize
  • US
39 6.4
to captivate
19 4.2
to engage
117 3.5
to hold
201 2.2
to interest
206 1.0

Surface Forms

hold infinitive
holding present participle
holds third person singular
held past
held past participle

Etymology

Hold comes from Old English healdan, meaning 'to keep' or 'keep close', so a story or speech that 'holds' people simply 'keeps' their attention.