spellbound

SPEHL-bownd

Spellbound (adj) means So fascinated or captivated that you can't look away, as if under a magic spell. Example: “The audience sat spellbound throughout the entire performance.”

adj

So fascinated or captivated that you can't look away, as if under a magic spell.

"The audience sat spellbound throughout the entire performance."

"The children were spellbound by the magician's tricks."

How to use spellbound

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCompletely captivated, unable to look away.

Common pairings

hold someone spellbound sit spellbound

Word forms

more spellbound comparative, most spellbound superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “spellbound” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The audience sat _____ throughout the entire performance.

Etymology

From "spell" (magic charm) plus "bound" (held, tied).

Rhymes for spellbound

pound wound sound bound found round hound mound abound ground around rebound

See all rhymes for spellbound →

Frequently asked questions

What does “spellbound” mean?

The word “spellbound” means so fascinated or captivated that you can't look away, as if under a magic spell. In plain terms, completely captivated, unable to look away.

How do you pronounce “spellbound”?

“Spellbound” is pronounced SPEHL-bownd (/ˈspɛlˌbaʊnd/ in IPA).

How do you use “spellbound” in a sentence?

Here is “spellbound” used in a sentence: “The audience sat spellbound throughout the entire performance.”

What part of speech is “spellbound”?

“Spellbound” is an adjective.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include spellbound:

B2 vocabulary words