spellbinder

noun

spell·​bind·​er ˈspel-ˌbīn-dər 

: a speaker of compelling eloquence

also : one that compels attention

Examples of spellbinder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

William Jennings Bryan, the evangelical spellbinder from Nebraska, argued in the 1896 presidential election that McKinley Republicans were the party of corporate power, corporate subsidies, and the gold standard. —Brenda Wineapple, New Republic, 21 Dec. 2017

This performance was, more often than not, a spellbinder. —Richard S. Ginell, latimes.com, 20 Apr. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

spellbinder

noun

spell·​bind·​er ˈspel-ˌbīn-dər 

1

: a very powerful speaker

2

: one that compels attention