captivating

adjective

cap·​ti·​vat·​ing ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-tiŋ 

: charmingly or irresistibly appealing

a captivating aroma

It's an utterly exotic combination of flavors, and a completely captivating one.

—Howard Seftel

Books with captivating stories and bright, uncomplicated artwork will enchant the very young without being too demanding.

—Ed Zotti

A captivating storyteller, he conveys the cozy domesticity of the small-time growers as well as the Technicolor style of life of the big deal-makers.

—Alison Friesinger

captivatingly adverb

a captivatingly sweet voice

Each room is named for a month, and January through December are captivatingly filled with fanciful hearts, flowers, and vines that trail over the beds, chests, and wardrobes.

—Mimi Elder

Synonyms

• alluring
• appealing
• attractive
• bewitching
• charismatic
• charming
• elfin
• enchanting
• engaging
• entrancing
• fascinating
• fetching
• glamorous
• glamourous
• luring
• magnetic
• seductive

Examples of captivating in a Sentence

a captivating performance by the young singing sensation

Recent Examples on the Web

Far more interesting are the female supporting characters, beginning with the captivating and too-briefly seen Chairman Meng. —Richard Kuipers, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024

Grant’s portrayal as Mr. Reed is quite arguably the most captivating performance seen on film this year. —Jeff Conway, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

With its unique and captivating storytelling, this film promises to grip the audience’s hearts while addressing the critical issue of water contamination in our society today. —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024

His secret to achieving glowy, captivating, and elevated makeup looks is prioritizing cream products and laying off the setting powders. —Akili King, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above