enchant

verb

en·​chant in-ˈchant 

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 tears …

—Elinor Wylie

Synonyms of enchant

• fascinate
• charm
• entice
• delight
• captivate
• seduce

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

Perhaps too enchanted, as Pitt lost his date on the dance floor that night. — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026

Even the Owens family’s enchanting New England home, which the internet has spent nearly three decades foaming at the mouth over, is barely seen, as much of the film takes place overseas. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026

Practical Magic 2 has Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman enchanting a new generation of fans, but not everyone from the original cast returned for the sequel. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Sep. 2026

The spa Among the most enchanted of spaces in a castle that is seemingly composed of nothing but enchanted spaces. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for enchant

• decant
• descant
• eggplant
• explant
• implant
• preplant
• recant
• replant
• supplant
• transplant
• ant
• aunt

Kids Definition

enchant

verb

en·​chant in-ˈchant 

1

: to influence by charms and magic : bewitch

2

: thrill entry 1 sense 1, fascinate