captivating

adjective

cap·​ti·​vat·​ing ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-tiŋ 

: 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

Synonyms of captivating

• appealing
• charismatic
• attractive
• charming
• enchanting
• fascinating
• seductive

Examples of captivating in a Sentence

a captivating performance by the young singing sensation

Recent Examples on the Web

Across the country, chefs and restauranteurs have worked hard to create captivating cuisines and experiences for patrons dining at their tables. —Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026

The cause of brain freeze fascinates neurologists and Slurpee lovers alike, and the science behind it is especially captivating. —Julia Daye, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2026

Visually and viscerally, Bright Lights is about as captivating and unremarkable as municipal building artwork. —Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026

The island's capital, Corfu Town, offers a captivating blend of history and culture. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for captivating

• abdicating
• abrogating
• activating
• actuating
• advocating
• aggravating
• aggregating
• agitating
• allocating
• alternating
• animating
• annotating