captivated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "captivated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has been filled with fascination or admiration for something, such as an activity, event, or person. Example: Her performance captivated the audience, who applauded for several minutes afterwards.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then she found letters he had written home from Egypt to his wife and six children, and something in their tone captivated her.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Since then, the world has been captivated by the transformation that has taken place, and the United States has supported the forces of change.

The Guardian

The boys were captivated by the medieval world around us, the priests with their ornate gold crosses, the tunnels linking the churches, and the macabre sight of human bones sticking out of coffins and carved niches in the rock face.

The Guardian - Travel

Although Kidd is a dancer and had never acted before, Riley was captivated by her "very striking face".

The Guardian - Film

The story had captivated me and stirred my jealousy to such a degree that I could recall the birth almost as a memory of my own – I wanted to return there, as to a favourite page in a favourite book.

The Guardian - Books

"I would be surprised if Celtic fans would be captivated by the news that Celtic are interested by Martínez," Nicholas told BBC Sport Wales.

The Guardian - Sport

She is captivated by the clever, awkward and occasionally spiky cosmologist.

The Guardian - Film

"I was captivated by his voice, which is a deep well of soul and pain and love," remembers Musto.

The Guardian - Music

It wasn't long before we stumbled upon a hungry turtle, chomping away, unperturbed by the captivated audience of divers: you can see why people flock here to learn to dive.

The Guardian - Travel

At four months old, he's become entirely captivated by everything.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We're providing all the co-operation that we can as we deal with this situation that has captivated the world," he said, arriving in New York for the United Nations general assembly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "captivated" to describe a state of being deeply attracted and interested in something, often implying a sense of wonder or delight. For example, "The audience was captivated by the speaker's compelling storytelling."

Common error

Avoid using "captivated" when simply expressing mild interest. "Captivated" implies a stronger, more profound fascination than a mere liking.

Linguistic Context

Captivated" primarily functions as a verb in the past participle form, often used as an adjective to describe a state of being deeply fascinated or charmed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to indicate a strong attraction or interest. Examples show it modifying nouns to describe people, audiences, or even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "captivated" is a versatile verb (used in past participle form), frequently employed to express a state of deep fascination or enchantment. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, understanding its nuances and avoiding overuse in contexts of simple interest is crucial. Alternative phrases such as ""enthralled"", ""fascinated"", and ""charmed"" offer subtle variations in meaning. By adhering to best practices and recognizing common errors, you can effectively harness the power of "captivated" to convey profound interest and allure in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enthralled

Implies a state of being completely fascinated and delighted.

fascinated

Signifies a strong interest and attraction to something.

charmed

Suggests a delightful and pleasing influence.

enchanted

Implies a magical or mystical allure.

intrigued

Highlights curiosity and a desire to know more.

mesmerized

Indicates a hypnotic and spellbinding effect.

spellbound

Similar to mesmerized, emphasizing a feeling of being under a spell.

engrossed

Focuses on being completely absorbed in something.

riveted

Suggests being firmly fixed or held by something.

enthralled by

Emphasis that you're fascinated by something or someone specific

FAQs

How can I use "captivated" in a sentence?

You can use "captivated" to describe someone who is deeply fascinated or charmed by something. For example, "She was "captivated" by the beauty of the sunset."

What's a good synonym for "captivated"?

Alternatives to "captivated" include "enthralled", "fascinated", or "charmed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am captivated by it"?

Yes, "I am captivated by it" is grammatically correct and expresses that you are deeply fascinated or charmed by something.

What is the difference between "captivated" and "interested"?

"Captivated" implies a stronger and more intense level of fascination and enchantment compared to simply being "interested."