What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
addicting
Example
The game is so addicting that I can't stop playing it. [addicting: adjective]
Example
He became addicted to drugs after trying them once. [addicted: past participle]
captivating
Example
The movie was so captivating that I didn't even notice the time passing. [captivating: adjective]
Example
She has a captivating smile that lights up the room. [captivating: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Captivating is more commonly used than addicting in everyday language. Captivating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while addicting is less common and typically used in informal language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between addicting and captivating?
Captivating is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts. On the other hand, addicting is typically associated with a casual and informal tone.