transfixed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'transfixed' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means to be in a state of deep fascination or attention, and is usually used to imply that the subject is almost unable to move or do anything else. Example sentence: Her eyes were transfixed on the beautiful sunset.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A singer-songwriter since he was a teenager, Earle was transfixed after seeing Lady Antebellum and decided to switch focus.

The Guardian - Music

I stood by him transfixed and awed that he possessed the knowledge and the talent to paint the finishing touches on the corpse's lips.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Quite the contrary, in fact: the DSK affair, the intervention in Libya and the rising tide of suicides prompted by unemployment have all held the nation transfixed in the past few months.

The Guardian

I've been to gigs where I've felt like I was the only person in the room for a brief moment, transfixed and transported, only to wish that person with a massive perm sitting directly in my line of vision didn't have such a bad case of the fidgets.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I had to give my jumper to one of the dancers who was stood, staring transfixed at the TV, in just her frillies.

The Guardian - Sport

'I was looking at you: you were transfixed.

The Guardian - Books

"I had no idea who he was but I was transfixed by the purity of his talent from the start".

The Guardian - Music

Here I spent well over three minutes transfixed by a manta.

The Guardian - Travel

Moreover, some Iranian Kurds have been transfixed by the image of autonomy, no matter how imperfect, that they see on the other side of the Iraqi border.

The Economist

Careless, you might think, that neither board nor regulator had checked before.The travails of Freddie Mac have transfixed Wall Street and Capitol Hill alike.

The Economist

What makes it far more combustible is the timing and the context: it comes just as Pakistan is transfixed by a march organised by a populist cleric, Tahir-ul Qadri, who is now encamped in Islamabad with some 60,000 supporters.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "transfixed" to vividly describe a state of being motionless due to awe, fear, or intense focus. This word adds a dramatic effect, highlighting the power of the object or situation causing the captivation.

Common error

Avoid using "transfixed" to describe mild interest or casual observation. The word implies a near-hypnotic state of attention, not mere curiosity. Using it in the wrong context can sound exaggerated or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "transfixed" is as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being motionless and spellbound. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use conveys a state of deep focus or captivation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "transfixed" functions as an adjective used to describe a state of being motionless due to intense focus or captivation. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, the term is grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media. When using "transfixed", be mindful of its dramatic connotation; reserve it for situations where the subject is genuinely spellbound. Alternative terms such as "mesmerized", "captivated", or "enthralled" may be more appropriate for milder forms of interest. Therefore, the right word to use depends on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mesmerized

Indicates being hypnotized or fascinated, suggesting a stronger sense of being under a spell.

captivated

Emphasizes being charmed or attracted, often implying a delightful experience.

enthralled

Suggests being completely fascinated and delighted, often by something magical or mysterious.

spellbound

Implies being held as if by a magical spell, unable to move or think clearly.

fascinated

Highlights a strong interest and attraction to something.

riveted

Conveys being held firmly in place, both physically and mentally, by something compelling.

engrossed

Indicates being completely absorbed in something, losing awareness of surroundings.

rapt

Suggests being completely absorbed in thought or attention, often to the exclusion of everything else.

absorbed

Implies being deeply involved in something, focusing attention completely.

hypnotized

Indicates being in a trance-like state, completely under someone's influence or control.

FAQs

How can I use "transfixed" in a sentence?

You can use "transfixed" to describe someone held motionless by something captivating, such as "The audience was "transfixed" by the dancer's performance".

What's a good alternative to the word "transfixed"?

Alternatives to "transfixed" include "mesmerized", "captivated", and "enthralled", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone was "transfixed with fear"?

Yes, it is correct. "Transfixed with fear" describes someone so frightened they are unable to move, held in place by their terror.

What is the difference between "transfixed" and "fascinated"?

"Fascinated" implies a strong interest and attraction, while "transfixed" suggests a state of being held motionless and spellbound. "Transfixed" is a stronger, more dramatic term.