What does enchant mean?
Enchant is a verb meaning to fill someone with intense delight or fascination, as though a spell had been cast over them. A beautiful piece of music, a charming host, or a stunning landscape might all be said to enchant those who encounter them. The word most often appears in the passive form — audiences are enchanted by performances, travellers enchanted with new cities — which reflects its sense of the charmed person being helplessly captivated. It also retains an older, literary meaning of placing someone or something under an actual magic spell, a sense that lives on chiefly in fairy tales and fantasy fiction. Etymologically rich, enchant derives from Latin roots combining 'in' and 'cantare', meaning to sing against or upon — the very root behind 'chant' and 'incantation'. Slightly formal and evocative, it is a useful word for expressing wonder, delight, and irresistible attraction.
To fill someone with great delight; to charm or captivate completely.
"The violinist enchanted the entire concert hall."
Frequently used in the passive construction 'be enchanted by/with'.
(Literary, now chiefly in fantasy contexts) To put under a magic spell; to bewitch.
"Legend says the forest was enchanted centuries ago."
Enchant literally means 'to sing a spell upon' — the same Latin root that gives us 'chant' and 'incantation' is hiding inside every fairy tale's favourite word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of enchant
Enchant entered English from Old French 'enchanter', which came from the Latin verb 'incantare', formed from 'in-' ('upon') and 'cantare' ('to sing'), so its original literal sense was to chant spells over someone. This magical origin is shared with cognates such as 'chant', 'incantation', and 'cantata', all descending from the Latin singing root 'canere'. Over time the word broadened from literal sorcery to mean any powerful delight or fascination, which is now its dominant sense. Its derivative family includes enchantment, enchanter, and enchantress.
Related word forms
How enchant is actually used
Enchant is somewhat formal and literary in register, more common in written than everyday speech. It is usually used in the passive (be enchanted) and carries strongly positive connotations of delight and wonder. The magical 'bewitch' sense survives mainly in fantasy literature and fairy tales.
Easily confused with enchant
Entrench means to establish something firmly or dig defensive trenches, while enchant means to delight or bewitch — they differ by a single vowel but share nothing in meaning.