enchant

verb

en·​chant in-ˈchant How to pronounce enchant (audio)
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 tearsElinor Wylie
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 This enchanting blend guarantees a luxurious bath time reminiscent of Oprah’s self-care essentials. Margaret Drake, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2023 The tale has long enchanted the city, dazzling visitors, prompting a poem by one of Brazil’s most celebrated poets — and giving rise to a series of interpretations. Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2023 Located in northwest Belgium, Bruges enchants travelers with its scenic waterways, cobblestone streets, and medieval architecture. Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2023 Advertisement Prepare to be enchanted by a wickedly clever narrative, infused with passion and chilling suspense. San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2023 The images included a stunning pink party with enchanting floral decor and chic centerpieces for the tables. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 20 Oct. 2023 The Boy and the Heron How lucky for us that Hayao Miyazaki, the animation master with a gift for enchanting world-building, didn’t stay retired? Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2023 Whether you’re drawn to the azure waters of the French Riviera, the dramatic cliffs of Normandy, or the enchanting châteaux of the Loire Valley, this list of the most beautiful places in France is sure to inspire your next storybook adventure. Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2023 Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection With blonde locks, porcelain skin, and a wardrobe of floaty white dresses, the actor is angelic in the part of Kim beside Johnny Depp’s titular humanoid in this enchanting fairy tale from Tim Burton. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enchant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of enchant was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near enchant

Cite this Entry

“Enchant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enchant. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

enchant

verb
en·​chant in-ˈchant How to pronounce enchant (audio)
1
: to influence by charms and magic : bewitch
2

More from Merriam-Webster on enchant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!