enthralling

USAGE SUMMARY

"enthralling" is a valid and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is so engaging and captivating that you can't look away. For example, "The magician's act was so enthralling that the audience could not take their eyes off him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Equally he has the venue they deserve, Royal County Down is a classic links course, hugely demanding and offering a unique challenge that will be enthralling to watch.

The Guardian - Sport

4.34pm BST16 34 Richard Gibson reports from Edgbaston This imbalanced contest has been enthralling.

The Guardian - Sport

I, for one, cannot fully disassociate the piece from the gaudy though enthralling images of dinosaurs and volcanic eruptions that so entranced me as a small child.

The Guardian - Music

BMW, meanwhile, re-engineered the Isetta to use an engine from one of its motorcycles.Rising incomes, falling fuel prices and changing fashions did for the original bubble cars, but the idea seems ripe for revival and three new versions, known as EN-Vs (for Electric Networked-Vehicles), are enthralling the crowds at the Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

The Economist

The Clintons have fought a leaden and nasty campaign; at present, the prospect of a "Billary presidency" (even before you take into account the dynastic Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton aspect) is hardly enthralling.

The Economist

Meanwhile, a raven-haired Magyar concert violinist adds an exotic love interest to an already enthralling narrative".Stratton's War", set in London during the Blitz, also has two protagonists: Diana Calthrop, a society beauty and MI5 agent, and Detective Inspector Ted Stratton.

The Economist

But the biggest problem is perhaps that the process is too enthralling.

The Economist

But it is an earlier heavenly encounter, far less spectacular but much, much closer, that is enthralling the small band of space scientists interested in keeping the Earth safe.On the evening of February 15th an asteroid called 2012 DA14 will pass so close to the Earth that, although it is only the length of an Olympic swimming pool, it will be visible through good binoculars.

The Economist

There were about 1,000 of them, and the author describes their commitment as "a proto-Woodstock of high visual culture".In this section The man who saved his country, and the world The double face of single-mindedness Ambassadorial pile The whole hog Angels of mud In praise of powerful women ReprintsMr Clark, a novelist, tells an enthralling true story in a way that makes it read like a novel.

The Economist

An attempt to muzzle the anti-corruption tsar was only rescinded under pressure from donors.Perhaps fortunately for Mr Kibaki, an inquiry into a big scandal of the Moi era is currently enthralling the nation.

The Economist

"STANDER", a new film, is enthralling South African cinemagoers this month.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enthralling" to describe experiences, narratives, or performances that completely capture the audience's attention due to their inherent qualities of excitement, beauty, or mystery.

Common error

Avoid using "enthralling" to describe everyday or ordinary events. Reserve it for situations that genuinely evoke a sense of wonder or intense interest to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "enthralling" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that is captivating and holds the attention completely. This usage aligns with Ludwig's examples, where it modifies terms like "narrative" and "fixture".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enthralling" functions as an adjective that describes something highly captivating and attention-grabbing. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage and identifies it as grammatically sound. It is most frequently used in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While it can be used in Formal & Business contexts as well, it's less common in scientific writing. Remember to reserve this powerful adjective for situations that truly evoke a sense of wonder, avoiding overuse in mundane contexts. Related terms include "captivating", "riveting", and "fascinating", offering varied nuances for precise expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

captivating

Emphasizes the ability to hold someone's attention and interest, very close in meaning.

riveting

Focuses on the compelling and absorbing nature of something, often implying intense excitement.

fascinating

Highlights the intriguing and appealing qualities of something that sparks curiosity.

spellbinding

Suggests a magical or enchanting quality that holds someone's attention completely.

engrossing

Implies a deep level of involvement and absorption in something.

absorbing

Similar to engrossing, but can also refer to something that takes up a lot of time or energy.

compelling

Highlights the power of something to strongly attract or persuade.

mesmerizing

Suggests a hypnotic or trance-like effect that holds someone's attention.

exciting

Focuses on the thrilling and stimulating aspects of something.

intriguing

Emphasizes the mysterious or puzzling nature of something that piques interest.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "enthralling" in a sentence?

Use "enthralling" to describe something that holds your attention completely. For instance, "The performance was truly "captivating"" or "The novel presented an "intriguing" mystery".

What words are similar to "enthralling"?

Synonyms for "enthralling" include "riveting", "fascinating", and "spellbinding". Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits the context.

Is it appropriate to use "enthralling" in formal writing?

Yes, "enthralling" is appropriate in formal writing when describing something genuinely captivating. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong adjective; otherwise, a more moderate term might be better.

What's the difference between "enthralling" and "interesting"?

"Enthralling" suggests a higher degree of captivation and excitement than "interesting". Something that is "interesting" might simply pique your curiosity, while something "enthralling" completely holds your attention. You might say the lecture was "interesting", but the movie was "enthralling".