ENGLISH
REFERENCE

captive

n. · adj. · v.
US //ˈkæptɪv// UK //kˈæptɪv// cap·tive
  1. 1 a prisoner (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a person who has been captured and is being kept as a prisoner.

    a person who is held in confinement or under the control of another, typically during a war or conflict.

    Example

    The soldiers released the captive after the peace treaty was signed.

    Example

    The humanitarian organisation negotiated for months to ensure the safe return of every captive held behind enemy lines.
  2. 2 held prisoner (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    kept as a prisoner or not allowed to go where you want.

    held in confinement or restrained from liberty; often used to describe an audience that has no choice but to listen.

    Example

    The passengers were a captive audience for the pilot's long stories.

    Example

    The zoo was criticised for keeping large mammals in a captive environment that failed to mimic their natural roaming grounds.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 charmed or fascinated (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    feeling very attracted to or interested in someone or something.

    metaphorically subdued or enthralled by beauty, affection, or excellence.

    Example

    He stood captive to her beauty from the moment they met.

    Example

    The young poet remained captive to the rugged beauty of the cliffs, returning every summer to find fresh inspiration.
  2. 4 to capture (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    an old word meaning to catch or take someone as a prisoner.

    to take someone into confinement or to capture them. This verbal form is now largely replaced by 'capture' or 'captivate' in modern contexts.

    Example

    The knight sought to captive his enemies during the great battle.

    Example

    In the ancient chronicles, it is written that the king did captive the rebels and held them in the high tower for many years.
Origin

Inherited from Middle English captif; derived from Latin captīvus, probably through a borrowing from a Middle French intermediate. Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kap- (“seize, hold”). Doublet of caitiff.

© 2026 English Reference