adjective

spellbound

spellbound, enchanted, fascinated

The audience was spellbound by her performance.

The audience was spellbound by her performance.

He listened to the story, spellbound.

He listened to the story, spellbound.

((be)) spellbound ((by sth.)) to be fascinated by something The audience was spellbound by her performance.

Synonyms: captivated, enchanted, fascinated, mesmerized; Antonyms: bored, disenchanted

From 'spell' (a magic incantation) + 'bound' (held fast). Literally 'bound by a spell'.

Imagine being literally 'bound' (tied up) by a magic 'spell' so you can't look away.

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