thrall
Thrall (noun) means a person held as a slave or in servitude, under the total control of another. Example: “In the old sagas, captured warriors were often made thralls.”
How to use thrall
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone enslaved, or the state of being completely under someone else's power or spell.
Modern use is almost always figurative, as in "in thrall to" — meaning captivated or dominated by something, not literally enslaved.
Word forms
more thrall comparative, thralled past tense, thralls plural, Thralls plural, thralls singular, most thrall superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In the old sagas, captured warriors were often made _____.
Etymology
From Old Norse þræll ("slave"), borrowed into Old English as þrǣl.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for thrall
See all rhymes for thrall →Frequently asked questions
What does “thrall” mean?
The word “thrall” means a person held as a slave or in servitude, under the total control of another. In plain terms, someone enslaved, or the state of being completely under someone else's power or spell.
How do you pronounce “thrall”?
“Thrall” is pronounced thrawl (/θɹɔːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “thrall” in a sentence?
Here is “thrall” used in a sentence: “In the old sagas, captured warriors were often made thralls.”
What part of speech is “thrall”?
“Thrall” is a noun.
Where does the word “thrall” come from?
The word “thrall” comes from Old English. From Old Norse þræll ("slave"), borrowed into Old English as þrǣl.
How many meanings does “thrall” have?
“Thrall” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person held as a slave or in servitude, under the total control of another.