completely hooked

USAGE SUMMARY

"completely hooked" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe being very engaged or captivated by something, such as a book, movie, or hobby. Example: After the first chapter, I was completely hooked on the story. Alternative expressions include "totally captivated" and "fully engrossed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"But as soon as I started, I was completely hooked".

The New York Times

"And at the end I was completely hooked".

The New York Times

Even more predictably, come December I guarantee I will be completely hooked and "loving" every second.

Independent

"There is this psychological feeling of gold fever out there, and they're completely hooked," she said.

The New York Times

"When I saw my first sea eagle, I was completely hooked," she says.

The Guardian

I just got completely hooked on running and two years later I ran my first marathon.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I was totally hooked".

The New Yorker

I'm completely, catastrophically hooked.

Independent

After one night I was completely and utterly hooked.

The Guardian - Music

"But then the yoga came along and I just got completely and utterly hooked".

The Guardian

The famous author of the Twilight Saga, a series which has completely got me hooked, even after I'd read them three time or maybe more!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate the preposition "on" when identifying the object of the obsession (e.g. "hooked on running").

Common error

While "completely hooked" is widely used in high-quality journalism, it may be perceived as too informal for strict academic research or technical reports. In those contexts, consider using more precise terms like "deeply engaged with" or "extensively involved in".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely hooked" functions as a predicate adjective phrase where the intensifier "completely" modifies the adjective "hooked". In this context, "hooked" is a figurative use of the past participle of the verb "hook", meaning to be caught as if by a fishhook. According to Ludwig AI, it is almost always used to describe a state of being rather than an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Personal Essays & Blogs

10%

Science Journalism

5%

Less common in

Legal Documentation

1%

Technical Manuals

2%

Academic Research Papers

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely hooked" is an exceptionally versatile and very common idiomatic expression used to denote intense fascination. Ludwig shows that it is a staple of modern English journalism, appearing in over 50 instances across top-tier publications. Whether you are describing a new obsession with a TV show or a sudden passion for a scientific discipline, this phrase effectively communicates the depth of your engagement. While generally considered correct and standard, writers should be mindful of its idiomatic nature when drafting very formal documents. For a more sophisticated tone, alternatives like "totally captivated" or "fully engrossed" are excellent substitutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally captivated

provides a more elegant and slightly more formal tone than the idiomatic hooked.

fully engrossed

emphasizes mental focus and concentration rather than just enjoyment.

entirely absorbed

suggests being mentally consumed by a task or story, often used for books or movies.

absolutely addicted

uses stronger, more hyperbolic language to describe the level of attachment.

thoroughly gripped

often used in literary contexts to describe a plot that holds one's attention.

utterly obsessed

shifts the focus from the attraction of the object to the psychological state of the person.

thoroughly fascinated

indicates deep intellectual interest without necessarily implying an addictive quality.

wholly consumed

a very intense alternative suggesting the subject takes over one's life.

deeply invested

suggests an emotional or personal stake in the outcome of something.

completely transfixed

implies a visual or momentary state of being unable to look away.

FAQs

How do I use "completely hooked" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe being fascinated by something, such as: "After just one episode of the documentary, I was "completely hooked"."

What is a more professional way to say "completely hooked"?

In professional settings, you might use "fully committed to", "deeply invested in", or "thoroughly engaged with".

Is it "hooked in" or "hooked on"?

Both are used, but they carry different nuances. "Hooked on" usually refers to an addiction or obsession, while "hooked in" often refers to being involved in a system or community. Ludwig examples show both uses in respected media outlets.

Can I use "completely hooked" for people?

Yes, but it often implies a romantic or infatuated context. Alternatives like "quite smitten" or "totally captivated" might be more specific depending on the sentiment.