enthrallment

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "enthrallment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to captivating or fascinating someone, often with a story or an accomplishment. Example sentence: She was so fascinated by the magician's tricks that she was in a state of enthrallment for the entire show.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

From the late 1960s onward, the outstanding trend in fiction was enthrallment with empire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It cannot be said that Dante rejects Virgil; rather he sadly found that nowhere in Virgil's work, that is, in his consciousness, was there any sense of personal liberation from the enthrallment of history and its processes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Plato, who was literate, worried about the kind of trance or emotional enthrallment that came over people in all these situations, and Havelock inferred from this that the idea of distinguishing the knower from the known was then still a novelty.

The New Yorker

He had apparently mistaken his wife for a hat!" As a student, I wanted my unabashed enthrallment to be redeemed by an account of how Sacks's often decidedly personal investigations resulted in a solution, a treatment.

The New Yorker

He captures the special spirit of the place, an aura of enthrallment to football with some strange religious overtones.

The New Yorker

So great was my enthrallment that I even forgot for a few moments that I wore those hated little-boy knickers".

The New Yorker

The movie's over-all metaphor is bondage: Joyce's possible handling of her lover; the way (as the movie suggests) she made money in Los Angeles; her enthrallment to her heroic image of herself.

The New Yorker

The studio audience would gasp when he minced onstage and began speaking in his little squeak to Johnny Carson; but it would soon subside into respectful attention, even enthrallment, when he started talking seriously about memory and writing and violence.

The New Yorker

As the movie has it, his sexual enthrallment, and his desire to do something for the tough, demanding girl, pulled him out of passivity and silence, and led him into movies.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Spielberg has created, with skill equal to Dickens's, the strangeness felt by an innocent — the bewildering oddity, the physical enthrallments and terror of something entirely unprecedented.

The New Yorker

Most likely it's all these things, but there are other enthrallments as well.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a subject that you want to convey as deeply fascinating, consider using "enthrallment" to emphasize the compelling nature of the topic.

Common error

Avoid using "enthrallment" to merely indicate a passing interest. The word carries a strong connotation of deep captivation, not just mild amusement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "enthrallment" is as a noun. It typically refers to the state of being completely captivated or fascinated by something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various contexts to describe intense states of captivation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enthrallment" functions as a noun signifying a state of being utterly captivated or fascinated. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in English, noting its prevalence across diverse contexts, prominently in news and media. While suitable for various registers, it leans toward neutral to formal writing, reflecting its descriptive potency. When using "enthrallment", remember its indication of a powerful, immersive experience, rather than simple interest. Alternatives such as "fascination", "captivation", and "enchantment" offer nuanced options, enriching your expression and communication. The extensive array of examples on Ludwig underscores the word's widespread applicability and significance in conveying profound engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fascination

Focuses on a strong interest or attraction, often intellectual or aesthetic.

captivation

Highlights the act of holding someone's attention and interest completely.

enchantment

Suggests a magical or delightful quality that captivates.

absorption

Emphasizes complete mental engagement or immersion.

riveted attention

Indicates a state of being completely focused and unable to look away.

spellbound

Suggests being held captive by a magical or irresistible force.

utter absorption

A more intense version of absorption, indicating complete immersion.

being engrossed

Describes being deeply involved and focused on something.

preoccupation

Indicates being absorbed by one's thoughts.

fixation

Implies an obsessive or unhealthy level of interest.

FAQs

How can I use "enthrallment" in a sentence?

You can use "enthrallment" to describe a state of being captivated, as in "The audience listened in complete enthrallment to the speaker" or "Her stories held the children in a state of utter enthrallment".

What are some synonyms for "enthrallment"?

Alternatives to "enthrallment" include "fascination", "captivation", and "enchantment". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "enthrallment" formal or informal?

"Enthrallment" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its impact comes from the intensity of the captivation it describes, not its level of formality.

What's the difference between "enthrallment" and "interest"?

"Interest" implies a general curiosity or concern, while "enthrallment" suggests a state of being completely captivated and absorbed. "Enthrallment" is a much stronger and more immersive experience.