captivate
Americanverb
-
to hold the attention of by fascinating; enchant
-
an obsolete word for capture
Other Word Forms
- captivatingly adverb
- captivation noun
- captivative adjective
- captivator noun
- uncaptivated adjective
- uncaptivative adjective
Etymology
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 -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jackson, 77, said she had "never doubted" the show's potential or that it would become a hit big enough to captivate audiences half a century later.
From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026
It may not be for everyone, but dome-based entertainment clearly has the power to captivate some.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
There were TVs all over the place, playing whatever advocates could think of to try to captivate the attention of these kids.
From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026
“Nestled in prestigious Sullivan Canyon, this grand private and gated estate is a visual treasure trove, where every corner reveals a multitude of intricate details designed to captivate and inspire,” it noted.
From MarketWatch • Oct. 20, 2025
She was smart and beautiful, with eyes that could captivate a room, and sweet potato pies that were the best in the county.
From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
