spellbinding means engrossing; fascinating; gaining rapt attention; captivating. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 78 out of 100.
Why “spellbinding” is a great word
SPELLBINDING — [Adjective] Engrossing or fascinating to the point of holding one's complete attention, as if by magic. From the noun 'spell' (meaning a magical formula or incantation, or a state of enchantment) + the present participle 'binding' (meaning to tie or hold fast). Unlike 'engrossing,' which suggests deep mental absorption but lacks a magical air, or 'hypnotic,' which implies a rhythmic, trance-like submission, spellbinding carries the explicit charge of a captivating enchantment. It is the storyteller's voice that stills a restless room, the virtuoso’s gesture that transfixes a silent hall, or the shared, breath-held silence at a magician's reveal. We are not merely interested; we are willingly bound by a secular proof that the old magic of narrative can still hold the wandering soul fast.
Etymology
From spell + binding.
adj
- Engrossing; fascinating; gaining rapt attention; captivating.“Cuphead built a reputation for difficulty before release, but its boss battles are mostly about recognizing patterns than getting lucky against unfair bosses. Watching players ace their way through the game’s bosses is a spellbinding reminder that even tough games can be defeated easily with hard work.”
- Having the power to bind magically through the agency of a spell.“Salt is a very favoured ingredient of spell-binding concoctions.”
noun
- A spell or enchantment that restrains or constricts someone's actions or freedom of will.“The Roman epic poet Vergil refers to the incapacitating effects of ligatures, while Ovid, the erotic poet, admits the power of such spell-bindings.”