spellbound

adjective

spell·​bound ˈspel-ˌbau̇nd How to pronounce spellbound (audio)
: held by or as if by a spell

Examples of spellbound in a Sentence

The children were spellbound by the puppet show. She's a storyteller that will hold you spellbound.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Set in Salem, Massachusetts, the third season will dive deeper into the mythology of witchcraft, introduce new ‘spellbound’ families and feature some of the historical happenings of Salem, the infamous town of witch trials and folklore. Denise Petski, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025 When the supermodel was introduced to French cosmetic doctor Jean-Louis Sebagh in Paris, France, she was spellbound by his revolutionary approach to age maintenance, which utilizes the extract of the rare Charentais cantaloupe. Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025 People who use generative AI are often spellbound that the AI seems to be correct and seemingly always on target. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025 Yet even casual, low-adrenaline Arches visits can leave you spellbound. Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spellbound

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spellbound was in 1785

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spellbound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spellbound. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

spellbound

adjective
spell·​bound ˈspel-ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce spellbound (audio)
: held by or as if by a spell

More from Merriam-Webster on spellbound

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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