enamour

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'enamour' is correct, and it can be used in written English.
It has the same meaning as 'to charm' or 'to captivate' and can be used in place of those words. For example, The young man's enthusiasm and optimism enamored everyone in the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But it's hardly likely to enamour the singer to her native land, which she perceives, with some justice, as adopting a rather spiteful attitude towards her success.

Independent

Yet the new £9 hourly rate for the over-25s did not enamour him to the thousands of start-ups and SMEs in the country for whom employment is often the biggest cost – the very companies which Mr Osborne hopes will be producing his target of two million new jobs over the next few years.

Independent

Such accomplishments make for an amiable life; they make him amiable, too: "His heart was of the kind that most enamour us, / Wax to receive and marble to retain".

The Guardian - Books

Hunt's winning smile, charisma and determination would surely enamour him to any right-minded 21st-century espionage agency.

The Guardian - Film

As with all May's work it boasted a sophisticated humour pivoting around this odd couple, yet did little to enamour her to the studio establishment, with the director's cut running at a reported three hours while May wanted to disown the final film.

The Guardian - Film

It suggests the subtext "I don't like the way your kids are turning out", which is never guaranteed to enamour you to old friends.

The Guardian

4 I am enamour'd of growing out-doors, Of men that live among cattle or taste of the ocean or woods, I have incorporated nature and L.G.B.T.Q.

The New Yorker

Wait until the letter writers look more closely at "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and discover that it includes a fairy queen "enamour'd of an ass".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Today, the rodent has finally made its way back to the bustling capital, enamouring local residents with their goofy teeth, while wreaking havoc for park wardens who are concerned that their constant gnawing on urban trees could pose a safety risk in a city with so much green space.

The Guardian

Hannah and I decided that there ought to be some remembrance of "knickerless women, enamouring from the cane tables, waiting in the fumes for the country cousins to stagger in, all savings and haywisps".

The Guardian - Books

'Construcao', a surrealist fantasy about a construction worker falling to his death became a popular classic, enamouring him to a public struggling with political repression under military rule.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enamour" to express a strong feeling of admiration, fascination, or love for someone or something. It's particularly effective when describing a gradual process of falling under someone's charm or spell.

Common error

While "enamour" is a perfectly valid word, it can sound overly formal or theatrical in casual conversation. Reserve it for situations where its elevated tone is appropriate, and consider using simpler alternatives like "charm", "captivate", or "fascinate" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The verb "enamour" functions primarily to describe the act of causing someone to feel love, fascination, or admiration. This is evident in examples where it's used to illustrate how a person or thing captivates another. As noted by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and functions similarly to "charm" or "captivate".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Books

18%

Film

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enamour" is a grammatically correct verb that means to captivate or charm. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and notes its similarity to words like "charm" and "captivate". While not extremely common, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When writing, use "enamour" to express a strong sense of fascination or admiration, but be mindful of its slightly elevated tone and consider simpler alternatives in casual settings. Its usage ranges from describing how someone falls in love with a place, to how something can charm them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

captivate

This alternative directly replaces "enamour" with a focus on the act of seizing attention and holding it.

charm

This suggests a pleasing quality that attracts or delights, similar to "enamour" but with a lighter tone.

enchant

Implies casting a spell or exerting a magical influence, similar to "enamour" but with a stronger emphasis on magic.

fascinate

Suggests holding someone's interest or attention very strongly.

beguile

Suggests charming or enchanting someone, often in a deceptive way.

win over

Focuses on the act of gaining someone's favor or affection, rather than the state of being charmed.

attract

A more general term for drawing someone's attention or interest.

endear

Highlights the act of making someone beloved or cherished.

appeal to

Suggests having qualities that someone finds attractive or interesting.

delight

Focuses on the feeling of great pleasure and satisfaction that someone or something evokes.

FAQs

How to use "enamour" in a sentence?

You can use "enamour" to describe someone or something that causes you to have strong feelings of love or admiration. For example, "The city's vibrant culture quickly enamored her."

What can I say instead of "enamour"?

You can use alternatives like "captivate", "charm", or "fascinate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "enamour" or "enamor"?

"Enamour" and "enamor" are alternative spellings of the same word. While both are correct, "enamour" is the more common spelling.

What's the difference between "enamour" and "attract"?

"Attract" is a more general term that simply means to draw someone's attention or interest. "Enamour" implies a stronger, more intense feeling of being captivated or charmed.