thrall

American  

[thrawl] / θrɔl /

noun

1. a person who is morally or mentally enslaved by some power, influence, or the like.

   He was the thrall of morbid fantasies.

2. a person held in bondage or slavery.

3. slavery; thralldom.

4. the condition of being in the power of something or someone; a state of subjugation or rapt absorption.

   We will receive no help from the media, who are for the most part in thrall to the political establishment.

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verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to put or hold in thralldom; enslave.

adjective

1. Archaic. subjected to bondage; enslaved.

thrall British  

/ θrɔːl /

noun

1. Also called: thraldom.   thralldom.  the state or condition of being in the power of another person

2. a person who is in such a state

3. a person totally subject to some need, desire, appetite, etc

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verb

1. (tr) to enslave or dominate

Other Word Forms

• unthralled adjective

Etymology

Origin of thrall

First recorded before 950; Middle English thral, thral(l)e, threl(l)e, Old English thrǣl “bondman, slave, servant, thrall,” from Old Norse thrǣll “slave, servant”

Explanation

When you're in thrall to someone, you are under their control in some way. If you're being held as a hostage, you're in thrall to your captor. You can be in thrall to anything that holds you captive or controls your thoughts or actions, like an addiction, a disease, or a cult leader. The Old English word that thrall comes from literally means "slave" or "servant." Another word with the same root as thrall is enthrall, which is sort of a friendlier version of the same idea. If you're enthralled by someone, you're captivated or fascinated, rather than "held in bondage."

Example Sentences

In thrall to her mission, June rents a dusty, disheveled storage room in town.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

The author was in awe of his father, at once afraid of him and in thrall to his boundless charisma and movie-star looks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

Kevin acknowledges he was seduced by the thrall of easy money.

From Salon • Jun. 26, 2025

He is no longer in thrall to policy and personnel choices.

From Slate • Jun. 4, 2025

A thrall offered them a platter, and she stabbed a salted fish and ate it off the end of her dirk.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin