# mesmerized

/ˈmɛzmɝˌaɪzd/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mesmerized
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

to be so interested in something that you cannot look away or think about anything else. It often describes being hypnotized by a bright light or a moving object.

For teachers: to be held in a state of intense fascination or trance, typically by a bright light or rhythmic movement. Often used to describe a loss of self-awareness or a fixed gaze.

## Examples

- The children were mesmerized by the flickering fire.
- The audience remained mesmerized by the magician's sleight of hand, failing to notice the assistant's subtle movements.
- The hikers stood mesmerized by the aurora borealis, their breath visible in the cold air as the green lights danced across the northern horizon.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.