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
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.
Open the door to the theater, and discover a place of urban enchantment, where a red velvet door and crimson wallpaper beckon guests to come closer and sit inside.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026
I rediscovered both the enchantment and the danger this Christmas when I was forced to unplug my life during days of power outages in Boulder, Colo., where I had gone to stay with family.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025
I don’t know if Season 2, which premiered last week, rewards my devotion per se, but I also marathoned its seven episodes, bouncing between enchantment and eye-rolling.
From New York Times • May 21, 2024
I can shake off society’s detritus, step away from the stress, and embrace the enchantment of every single cast.
From Seattle Times • May 10, 2024
How every corner of the place seemed touched by some unseen enchantment, shimmering just out of sight.
From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish
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.
