What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
enrapture
Example
The audience was enraptured by the singer's performance. [enraptured: adjective]
Example
The book's vivid descriptions and compelling characters enraptured me from start to finish. [enraptured: verb]
captivate
Example
The speaker captivated the audience with her inspiring message. [captivated: verb]
Example
I was captivated by the beautiful scenery on my hike. [captivated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Captivate is more commonly used than enrapture in everyday language. Captivate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while enrapture is less common and has a more specific and intense connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between enrapture and captivate?
Both enrapture and captivate are formal words that are appropriate for use in writing or speaking contexts that require a higher level of formality. However, enrapture may be perceived as more poetic or literary than captivate.