transfix

verb

trans·​fix tran(t)s-ˈfiks 

transfixed; transfixing; transfixes

transitive verb

1

: to hold motionless by or as if by piercing

he stood transfixed by her gaze

2

: to pierce through with or as if with a pointed weapon : impale

transfixion

tran(t)s-ˈfik-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• stab
• pierce
• puncture
• pick
• stick
• jab

Examples of transfix in a Sentence

transfixed the inanimate butterfly specimens to the collection board

Recent Examples on the Web

Alex spends most of the book being condescending to Sophie, and yet she is transfixed by him. —Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025

We’re transfixed by the power of these LLMs to scour the entire Internet in seconds, build responses based on collective consciousness, and get us our answers right away, without that tedious old job of doing the research. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

Trevor Sullivan is transfixed by the immemorial existence his companions evoke. —Victoria Kim, New York Times, 2 July 2025

While the Mediterranean sun kissed the Primavera crowd, an intimate bunch gathered indoors in the pitch black confines of the 501 Club, transfixed by Barcelona experimental duo Dame Area. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 9 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin transfixus, past participle of transfigere, from trans- + figere to fasten, pierce — more at fix

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for transfix

• chopsticks
• lipsticks
• picnics
• reliques
• toothpicks
• yardsticks
• biopolitics
• bolsheviks
• candlesticks
• crucifix
• intermix
• lunatics

Kids Definition

transfix

verb

trans·​fix tran(t)s-ˈfiks 

1

: to pierce through with or as if with a pointed weapon

2

: to hold motionless by or as if by piercing

stood transfixed by her gaze