captivating

1 of 2

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

captivating

2 of 2

present participle of captivate

Synonyms of captivating

Adjective

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

Examples of captivating in a Sentence

Adjective

a captivating performance by the young singing sensation

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The blend of luxury and artistic flair is captivating, especially those vibrant interiors. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 2026

Jodie Comer won the Tony and Olivier awards for the stage version, and Erivo proved equally captivating on the big screen — albeit under a very specific racial and socioeconomic context. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

These students impressed us with their discerning angles, diligent research, and captivating storytelling. — Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Leclerc’s emotional 2019 and 2024 wins for Ferrari were captivating; Vettel in the wet for Toro Rosso deserves to be listed, too. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1675, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for captivating

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