enchant

verb en·chant \in-ˈchant, en-\

: to attract and hold the attention of (someone) by being interesting, pretty, etc.

: to put a magic spell on (someone or something)

Full Definition of ENCHANT

transitive verb

: to influence by or as if by charms and incantation : bewitch

: to attract and move deeply : rouse to ecstatic admiration <the scene enchanted her to the point of tears — Elinor Wylie>

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Origin of ENCHANT

Middle English, from Anglo-French enchanter, from Latin incantare, from in- + cantare to sing — more at chant

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ENCHANT

Synonyms: allure, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, fascinate, kill, magnetize, wile, witch [archaic]

Synonym Discussion of ENCHANT

attract, allure, charm, captivate, fascinate, enchant mean to draw another by exerting a powerful influence. attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another <students attracted by the school's locale>. allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive <an alluring smile>. charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response <charmed by their hospitality>, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration <her performances captivated audiences>. fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist <a story that continues to fascinate children>. enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject <hopelessly enchanted by her beauty>.