verb
enthrall
en-THRAWL
Enthrall (verb) means to hold someone's attention completely, as if under a spell. Example: “The magician enthralled the audience with his final trick.”
verb
1
To hold someone's attention completely, as if under a spell.
"The magician enthralled the audience with his final trick."
"The story enthralls children from the first page."
"Her singing enthralled everyone in the room."
How to use enthrall
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo grab someone's attention so completely they cannot look away.
When to use it
It is a somewhat formal word, common in reviews and descriptive writing.
Common pairings
enthrall an audience
enthrall readers
enthralled by
enthrall viewers
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The magician _____ the audience with his final trick.
Etymology
Enthrall comes from Middle English enthrallen. It can be understood as the prefix en- joined to thrall.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does enthrall mean?
It means to hold someone spellbound so that they give their full attention.
Is it enthrall or enthral?
Enthrall is the usual American spelling, and enthral is the British spelling.
How do you use enthrall in a sentence?
You can say that a performance or story enthralled its audience.
What is the meaning of enthrall?
"enthrall" (verb) means to hold someone's attention completely, as if under a spell.
