enchantment
Americannoun
-
the art, act, or an instance of enchanting.
- Synonyms:
- witchery, fascination, sorcery, magic
-
the state of being enchanted.
-
something that enchants.
Music is an enchantment that never fails.
noun
-
the act of enchanting or state of being enchanted
-
a magic spell or act of witchcraft
-
great charm or fascination
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of enchantment
1250–1300; Middle English enchantement < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin incantāmentum. See enchant, -ment
Explanation
Exams over? School out for the summer? You may be feeling a sense of enchantment, that is, a sense of delight and escape from everyday reality. The psychological state of enchantment is so strong it can feel like you are under a spell or a trance, and these words are often interchangeable with enchantment. A work of art that is particularly captivating and enjoyable can also be termed an enchantment. The Winnie the Pooh books are often called "enchantments," and their sense of child-like innocence and simplicity is typical of the sensation of enchantment.
Vocabulary lists containing enchantment
Magical Vocabulary
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The Castle of Llyr
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Taran Wanderer
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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.
See Examples For:
Gleiberman added that the film "truly delivers 'Moana' - the beauty, the comic personality, the fairy-tale enchantment", and described Johnson's "fit" for the film as "perfect".
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
Some children are more susceptible than others to the enchantment of a secret hideaway.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 15, 2026
“She hated the idea of that Hollywood enchantment crossing over into political discourse,” explains Wilkinson.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2025
Even so, “Yuletide Factory” offers moments of pure enchantment.
From New York Times ● Nov. 27, 2024
She felt as though she had stepped into an enchantment, and her heart raced.
From "Ash" by Malinda Lo
In a verdant island landscape where the veil between mysticism, art and nature is permeable, communing with mailboxes and postal enchantments raises no alarms.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 14, 2023
In the lower tiers lay most of the enchantments.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 25, 2022
Her next assignment was to make a list of all our enchantments — things big or small that make us feel well, engaged, and happy to be alive.
From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2019
Not even Doctor Strange’s mighty enchantments could overcome poor sales, a sad hallmark of his up-and-down comic-book career.
From New York Times ● Oct. 27, 2016
“Maddox is no magician. Besides, he is long gone. Though I hesitate, I can think of only one person who might be able to undo the enchantments placed on your brother.”
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
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.
