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CAPTIVATING
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Capturing interest as if by a spell
Example:
a fascinating woman
Synonyms:
bewitching; captivating; enchanting; enthralling; entrancing; fascinating
Classified under:
Similar:
attractive (pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
-ing form of the verb captivate
Context examples:
I saw her features and her manner slowly change; I saw her look at him with growing admiration; I saw her try, more and more faintly, but always angrily, as if she condemned a weakness in herself, to resist the captivating power that he possessed; and finally, I saw her sharp glance soften, and her smile become quite gentle, and I ceased to be afraid of her as I had really been all day, and we all sat about the fire, talking and laughing together, with as little reserve as if we had been children.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
It was plain to them all that Colonel Fitzwilliam came because he had pleasure in their society, a persuasion which of course recommended him still more; and Elizabeth was reminded by her own satisfaction in being with him, as well as by his evident admiration of her, of her former favourite George Wickham; and though, in comparing them, she saw there was less captivating softness in Colonel Fitzwilliam's manners, she believed he might have the best informed mind.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
He was exactly formed to engage Marianne's heart, for with all this, he joined not only a captivating person, but a natural ardour of mind which was now roused and increased by the example of her own, and which recommended him to her affection beyond every thing else.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
She asked his opinion on all subjects, she was interested in everything he did, made charming little presents for him, and sent him two letters a week, full of lively gossip, sisterly confidences, and captivating sketches of the lovely scenes about her.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
And she loved me so much, and was so captivating (particularly when she made Jip stand on his hind legs for toast, and when she pretended to hold that nose of his against the hot teapot for punishment because he wouldn't), that I felt like a sort of Monster who had got into a Fairy's bower, when I thought of having frightened her, and made her cry.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Didn't they steal sips of tea, stuff gingerbread ad libitum, get a hot biscuit apiece, and as a crowning trespass, didn't they each whisk a captivating little tart into their tiny pockets, there to stick and crumble treacherously, teaching them that both human nature and a pastry are frail?
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
