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Synonyms

engrossing

American  
[en-groh-sing] / ɛnˈgroʊ sɪŋ /

adjective

  1. fully occupying the mind or attention; absorbing.

    I'm reading the most engrossing book.


engrossing British  
/ ɪnˈɡrəʊsɪŋ /

adjective

  1. so interesting as to occupy one's attention completely; absorbing

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of engrossing

First recorded in 1475–85; engross + -ing 2

Vocabulary lists containing engrossing

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.

Readers will find engrossing case studies of well-known disasters such as the Titanic and the USS Indianapolis, as well as sections on bygone Viking wrecks and the mysterious “ghost ships” of seafaring lore.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Colorful illustrations by Ruby Warnecke will heighten young readers’ appreciation for these engrossing creatures of legend.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Northampton were given a stern examination of their Champions Cup credentials by impressive Castres as they came out on top of an engrossing contest to book their place in the quarter-finals.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

He’s both movie-star hunky and action-star engrossing, flitting between these two deceptively binary ends without breaking a sweat.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

She is less ready to talk about the second wife, the new, engrossing family, stepbrothers and sisters the age of her own little one.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

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