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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The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds deliver a captivating soundscape, ultimate noise cancellation and immersive spatial audio mode. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025 Located less than 2,000 feet outside the city limits of Dunsmuir, Calif., the waterfall is a captivating natural wonder with water splashing out of lava tubes and cascading down mossy rock formations. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025 Officially taking place from September 14th to September 21st, the Classic Uganda Primates & Wildlife Safari Holiday provides guests with an opportunity to get a close-up view of some of the nation’s most captivating fauna, with the trip taking place during peak chimpanzee mating season. Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025 This venue will provide the perfect setting for a captivating showcase of performances across a variety of artistic mediums, including dance, musical theater, mariachi, and a full award-winning student orchestra, according to a news release. News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 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 5 May. 2025.

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