captivating

adjective

cap·​ti·​vat·​ing ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-tiŋ How to pronounce captivating (audio)
: charmingly or irresistibly appealing
a captivating aroma
It's an utterly exotic combination of flavors, and a completely captivating one.Howard Seftel
Books with captivating stories and bright, uncomplicated artwork will enchant the very young without being too demanding.Ed Zotti
A captivating storyteller, he conveys the cozy domesticity of the small-time growers as well as the Technicolor style of life of the big deal-makers.Alison Friesinger
captivatingly adverb
a captivatingly sweet voice
Each room is named for a month, and January through December are captivatingly filled with fanciful hearts, flowers, and vines that trail over the beds, chests, and wardrobes. Mimi Elder

Examples of captivating in a Sentence

a captivating performance by the young singing sensation
Recent Examples on the Web
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For more than a decade now, Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington have been among the most captivating live acts in the world; the Gobi show, which comes at the end of a tour that has also included drummer Tlacael Esparza, was irreducible, elemental. Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2025 Warren is captivating, making the material her own with soaring vocals. Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Courtesy of Kona Village While the allure of a white-sand beach is undeniable, black-sand beaches are uniquely captivating. Mariette Williams, AFAR Media, 7 Apr. 2025 The 38-year-old actress, who plays Mary Magdalene in the historical drama, says the relatability of her character is one of the things that makes the show so captivating. Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for captivating

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of captivating was in 1675

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Cite this Entry

“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/captivating. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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