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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

Derived 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.

Jack Thorne, who co-wrote last year’s prize-winning “Adolescence,” returns with another story of fractured childhood with an admirable, engrossing new adaptation of William Golding’s much-taught novel of boy castaways, “The Lord of the Flies.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

Abbott lifted Woakes into the building site, where a hotel is under construction, at mid-wicket, before the last twist of an engrossing day saw the last three wickets fall in the last two overs.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

“Martin Scorsese All the Films” is filled with such morsels, making for an engrossing book—provided you don’t mind the occasional political asides.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 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

It always seemed to catch me right in the middle of something engrossing.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

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