enchant

verb

en·​chant in-ˈchant 

en-

enchanted; enchanting; enchants

transitive verb

1

: to influence by or as if by charms and incantation : bewitch

2

: to attract and move deeply : rouse to ecstatic admiration

the scene enchanted her to the point of tears

—Elinor Wylie

Synonyms

• allure
• beguile
• bewitch
• captivate
• charm
• fascinate
• kill
• magnetize
• wile
• witch [archaic]

Choose the Right Synonym for enchant

attract, allure, charm, captivate, fascinate, enchant mean to draw another by exerting a powerful influence.

attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response

charmed by their hospitality

, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

her performances captivated audiences

fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

Examples of enchant in a Sentence

The book has enchanted children for almost a century.

The beauty of the place enchants.

Recent Examples on the Web

With its tantalizing cuisine, unrivaled tequila selection, and enchanting atmosphere, Meximodo invites foodies to embark on a culinary adventure like no other. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Admire the hardwood flooring, open spaces, views of San Francisco and exhilarating style with walls of glass that open to over 1,000 square feet of decking with barbecue hookups and enchanting views. —Bang Advertising Staff and Correspondents, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024

Any art season is bright that brings a consideration of her career, and this spring does, in two enchanting concurrent shows. —Holland Cotter, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024

Far from camera shy, Harlow knew how to move, how to enchant. —Angelica Aboulhosn, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024

Their color enchants me, too: an orange exterior when young and a brilliant red interior that catches rainwater. —Daryln Brewer Hoffstot Kristian Thacker, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2024

Blooming Rosettes Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2024 Haute Couture runway show enchanted the audience with a romantic ode to love with the timeless beauty of roses. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 26 Jan. 2024

Meanwhile, the Greek islands continue to enchant, drawing in many new projects and emphasizing Greece's unmatched allure as a destination. —Jim Dobson, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024

The name alone hints at the romantic quality of the picturesque downtown area, which has enchanting gardens and charming storybook cottages. —Megan Wood, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French enchanter, from Latin incantare, from in- + cantare to sing — more at chant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

enchant

verb

en·​chant in-ˈchant 

1

: to influence by charms and magic : bewitch

2

: thrill entry 1 sense 1, fascinate