hypnotic

American  

[hip-not-ik] / hɪpˈnɒt ɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism.

2. inducing or like something that induces hypnosis.

3. susceptible to hypnotism, as a person.

4. inducing sleep.

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noun

1. an agent or drug that produces sleep; sedative.

2. a person who is susceptible to hypnosis.

3. a person under the influence of hypnotism.

hypnotic British  

/ hɪpˈnɒtɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or producing hypnosis or sleep

2. (of a person) susceptible to hypnotism

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noun

1. a drug or agent that induces sleep

2. a person susceptible to hypnosis

Other Word Forms

• antihypnotic adjective
• antihypnotically adverb
• hypnotically adverb
• nonhypnotic adjective
• nonhypnotically adverb
• prehypnotic adjective
• unhypnotic adjective
• unhypnotically adverb

Etymology

Origin of hypnotic

1680–90; < Late Latin hypnōticus < Greek hypnōtikós sleep-inducing, narcotic, equivalent to hypnō- (variant stem of hypnoûn to put to sleep; Hypnos ) + -tikos -tic

Example Sentences

“Let Me Grow and You’ll See the Fruit” is a beautifully hypnotic tune that has the moment-to-moment richness of a film.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet more than a plot-driven work, this curio plays like a sensorial and surreal trip where a magical staircase to heaven blends with the already hypnotic landscape.

From Los Angeles Times

It's an album of intimate, gauzy pop, almost entirely drumless and built around hypnotic musical loops that short-circuit your emotions.

From BBC

Recognized for their hypnotic choreography, playful lyricism and fervent energy, the “Gnarly” singers went all out for dress rehearsal — involving an army of backup dancers and repeated blasts of confetti.

From Los Angeles Times

At times, Mr. Ellis’s voice is so expressive and hypnotic it can fool you into thinking there’s more to a given number than there actually is.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• mesmerizing
• soothing