What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
engrossed
Example
She was so engrossed in her painting that she didn't even notice the time passing. [engrossed: adjective]
Example
He engrossed himself in his work and forgot about everything else. [engrossed: verb]
captivated
Example
The children were captivated by the magician's tricks. [captivated: adjective]
Example
She was captivated by the novel and couldn't put it down. [captivated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Captivated is more commonly used than engrossed in everyday language. Captivated is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while engrossed is less common and is typically used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between engrossed and captivated?
Both engrossed and captivated are relatively formal words, but engrossed may be slightly more formal due to its association with academic or professional contexts.
