captivate

[ kap-tuh-veyt ]

See synonyms for: captivate captivated captivates captivating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),cap·ti·vat·ed, cap·ti·vat·ing.

to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence; enchant: Her blue eyes and red hair captivated him.
Obsolete. to capture; subjugate.

Origin of captivate

First recorded in 1520–30; from Late Latin captīvātus (past participle of captīvāre “to take captive”), equivalent to Latin captīv(us) captive + -ātus -ate¹

Other words for captivate

1	fascinate, bewitch, charm
2	subdue

See synonyms for captivate on Thesaurus.com

Other words from captivate

cap·ti·va·tion [kap-tuh-vey-shuhn], /ˌkæp təˈveɪ ʃən/, noun
cap·ti·va·tive, adjective
cap·ti·va·tor, noun
un·cap·ti·vat·ed, adjective
un·cap·ti·va·tive, adjective

Words Nearby captivate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use captivate in a sentence

That perspective captivated Williams, and over the last two decades she’s established many of its most far-reaching implications.
A Mathematician’s Unanticipated Journey Through the Physical World | Kevin Hartnett | December 16, 2020 | Quanta Magazine
Biographies of scientific legends and lesser-known luminaries, tales of amazing animals and stories of exploration captivated Science News staff.
Our favorite books of 2020 covered climate change, Mars, the end of the universe and more | Science News Staff | December 13, 2020 | Science News
Birding gives us an opportunity to be captivated and allow them to teach us things like patience and appreciation.
A concise guide to birding in your own backyard | Erin E. Williams | December 11, 2020 | Washington Post
Through sheer force of will and a healthy dose of operating genius, Musk has built an electric-auto maker and battery manufacturer that is seemingly dragging an entire industry into the 21st century—and captivated investors around the world.
Elon Musk’s rocket ride | Andrew Nusca | December 2, 2020 | Fortune
His rallies captivated a nation, and before that his reality TV show was a runaway hit.
Crystal Ball 2021: Predictions for the economy, politics, technology, and more | lbelanger225 | December 1, 2020 | Fortune

Even while Hitler and Mao still captivate the popular imagination, one of the great monsters of the 20th century recedes.
Why the World Cannot Forget Stalin | Paul Johnson | February 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Why did The Princess Bride captivate America in the year of Watergate?
American Dreams, 1973: The Princess Bride by William Goldman | Nathaniel Rich | August 28, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Her childlike delight in the world and occasional melancholic outbursts captivate Marcenat completely.
This Week’s Hot Reads: Nov. 26, 2012 | Mythili Rao | November 26, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Whatever tells us of the yet unknown attraction can charm, interest, delight, and captivate us.
Urania | Camille Flammarion
"I am quite innocent of any intention to captivate," replied Fanny.
Frank Fairlegh | Frank E. Smedley
His speeches have a freedom and a rhythmical flow which captivate the hearer.
The Contemporary Review, January 1883 | Various
The interests of a moment engross and captivate the passions, and kindle ardours which burn with incessant vigour.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I | Francis Augustus Cox
But there were added minor articles of use and fancy to please the youth or captivate the imagination of the women in the tribes.
Duffels | Edward Eggleston

British Dictionary definitions for captivate

captivate

/ (ˈkæptɪˌveɪt) /

verb(tr)

to hold the attention of by fascinating; enchant
an obsolete word for capture

Origin of captivate

C16: from Late Latin captivāre, from captīvus captive

Derived forms of captivate

captivatingly, adverb
captivation, noun
captivator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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