enthrall

verb

en·​thrall in-ˈthrȯl How to pronounce enthrall (audio)
en-
variants or enthral
enthralled; enthralling

transitive verb

1
: to hold spellbound : charm
2
: to hold in or reduce to slavery
enthrallment noun

Did you know?

The history of enthrall appeals far less than the word as we use it today might suggest. In Middle English, enthrallen meant “to deprive of privileges; to put in bondage.” Thrall then, as now, referred to bondage or slavery. An early figurative use of enthrall appeared in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: “So is mine eye enthralled to thy shape.” But we rarely use even this sense of mental or moral control anymore. More often, the word simply suggests a state of being generally captivated or delighted by some particular thing. Enthrall is commonly found in its past participle form enthralled, which can mean “spellbound,” as in “we listened, enthralled, to the elder's oral history.”

Examples of enthrall in a Sentence

enthralled by the flickering fire in the hearth, we lost all track of time for years these master magicians have been enthralling audiences with their astounding illusions
Recent Examples on the Web Van Gogh’s life and work continue to enthrall the public more than 130 years after his death. Leslie Katz, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Bombadil is an intriguing character in the novels, with a curiously lackadaisical attitude toward the ring that enthralls nearly everyone else in Middle-earth. Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2024 Swimming against the current, and splashing water in our faces, has always seems to enthrall and energize him and Smashing Pumpkins. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2024 These seven easy-to-pack products are sure to enthrall. Catherine Garcia, theweek, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for enthrall 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enthrall.' 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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of enthrall was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near enthrall

Cite this Entry

“Enthrall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enthrall. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

enthrall

verb
en·​thrall
variants or enthral
enthralled; enthralling
: to hold by or as if by a spell : charm
enthrallment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on enthrall

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