Is captivate formal or informal?

What's the difference between captivate and attract?

How do I use captivate in a sentence?

Is captivate common in academic writing?

← Dictionary

captivate

/ˈkæp.tɪ.veɪt/

IELTSAcademic

verb

To attract and hold attention completely; to charm deeply.

Her stories captivate children instantly.
The lecture captivated the students.
The painting captivated visitors.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: captivate suggests stronger, more emotional hold than attract or interest, and implies charm rather than simple attention. Unlike fascinate (which stresses wonder), it focuses on holding interest. Choose captivate when describing deep, sustained engagement.

In other languages

Spanish: Encantar
Japanese: 魅了する
Korean: 迷わせる
Vietnamese: Say đắm
Chinese: 迷住

Etymology

Not selected

Common phrases

captivate the audiencecaptivate attentioncaptivate readers

Synonyms

charm fascinate attract engage interest

Related words

charm interest attract fascinate engage

Frequently asked questions

Is captivate formal or informal?: Is captivate formal or informal?
What's the difference between captivate and attract?: What's the difference between captivate and attract?
How do I use captivate in a sentence?: How do I use captivate in a sentence?
Is captivate common in academic writing?: Is captivate common in academic writing?