English Reference
Adjective

captivated

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈkæptɪˌveɪtɪd/ UK /kˈæptɪvˌeɪtɪd/ cap·ti·vat·ed

adj.feeling very interested in or attracted to something so that you give it all your attention.

adj.having one's attention or interest held completely by something fascinating or beautiful. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'remain'.


SIMPLE

The children were captivated by the magician's tricks.

CONTEXTUAL

She stood captivated by the view of the mountains as the sun began to set.

COMPLEX

The audience remained captivated throughout the three-hour performance, barely making a sound as the lead actor delivered his final, moving monologue.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'by' or 'with'.

Pitfall
I was captivated from the movieI was captivated by the movie

The adjective 'captivated' typically takes the preposition 'by' to indicate the source of the fascination.

His current research focuses on social media virality, including why people are so captivated by short-form video.

BBC News· 22 Aug 2026

Returning to it in my 40s, I was captivated by his Guyanese landscapes.

The Guardian· 31 Jul 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated