to engross

Examples

• All

• He was deeply engrossed in his discovery when Ted knocked on his door.

  Little Children (2006)

• On the monitor is Randy, still on the couch, engrossed in the movie.

  Fiction book (1996)

• You had your attention spread across all these different screens, so you couldn't truly engross yourself in that movie.

  Matthew Hussey

• I wondered: "What keeps people so engrossed in this insane game?"

  The Great Sinner (1949)

• You can't get so engrossed in your own image without it being a dangerous thing.

  Salinger (2013)

• A single student engrossed in her book, oblivious to everything going on around her.

  Academic text (2014)

• Don't worry, he's completely engrossed in his work.

  Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

• LaPlante seems to have persuaded John Bubber to sit down and the two men seem to be engrossed in conversation.

  Hero (1992)

• You will become completely engrossed in the celestial splendor that is unfolding before your very eyes.

  Academic text (2002)

• Quaid stares out the window, engrossed in the spectacle of the strange planet.

  Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

F

to fascinate

vsto engross

238 3.4

To attract and hold someone's strong interest or attention

captures full attention without necessarily adding strong appeal or charm

C

to consume

vsto engross

193 5.3

To take all of a person's time and attention

focuses on attention itself rather than the broader energy or time use

E

to engage

vsto engross

117 3.5

To keep someone's full attention

emphasizes full absorption of interest rather than general involvement

A

to absorb

vsto engross

112 3.1

To give all your attention to something

is the same idea but often used as an active verb of attention

O

to occupy

vsto engross

99 3.5

To keep someone's mind or attention busy

is more about capturing interest fully rather than merely keeping busy

I

to immerse

vsto engross

59 4.8

Make someone fully involved in an activity or interest

is similar but stresses holding attention rather than the immersion process

M

to mesmerize

vsto engross

• US

39 6.4

To hold someone's full attention as if by magic

also holds attention but without the implied magical or hypnotic effect

R

to rivet

vsto engross

33 6.1

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

is more neutral about feeling, focusing on total attention rather than drama

E

to engulf

vsto engross

23 5.7

To be completely taken over by a feeling or activity

centres on taking attention rather than committing to a task

E

to enthrall

vsto engross

20 6.8

To hold someone's full attention by being very interesting

shares holding attention but adds stronger emotional spellbound effect

E

to enrapture

vsto engross

• Literature

6 7.8

To make someone feel very happy and amazed

takes attention fully but without focusing on intense joy or delight

E

to enthral

vsto engross

• US

7.2

Hold someone's attention completely and make them feel very interested

is similar but usually less about enchantment and more about focus

Antonyms

D

to distract

513 2.1

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

B

to bore

15 1.4

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

How Absorbing

to mesmerize

• US

39 6.4

to engross

17 5.8

to absorb

112 3.1

to engage

117 3.5

to interest

206 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology