spellbound

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From spell +‎ bound.

Pronunciation

  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈspɛlˌbaʊnd/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

spellbound (comparative more spellbound, superlative most spellbound)

  1. Under the influence of a magical spell; enchanted, bewitched, or supernaturally constrained.
    Synonyms: ensorcelled, forspoken, under a spell; see also Thesaurus:enchanted
    • 1961, Norma Lorre Goodrich, “Beowulf”, in The Medieval Myths, New York: The New American Library, page 41:
      At once he sniffed the smell of man. At once he feared his hidden lair had been looted while he slept. How had a man dared to come so close? He must have trod next to the dragon's head so as not to be spellbound.
  2. Fascinated by something; entranced as if by a spell; captivated.
    Synonyms: enthralled, entranced, transfixed; see also Thesaurus:rapt
    The story left the children spellbound.

Translations

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