What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
captivate
Example
The magician's performance captivated the audience with his incredible tricks. [captivated: past tense]
Example
The book captivated me from the first page, and I couldn't put it down. [captivated: verb]
charm
Example
She has a charming smile that brightens up the room. [charming: adjective]
Example
His witty sense of humor charmed everyone at the party. [charmed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Charm is more commonly used than captivate in everyday language. Charm is versatile and can be applied to various situations, such as describing a person's personality or an appealing object. Captivate, although less common, is often used in specific contexts, such as captivating performances or experiences.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between captivate and charm?
While charm can be used in both formal and informal contexts, captivate is slightly more formal. Captivate is often used in more professional or artistic settings, while charm can be used in a wider range of situations.