What does enravished mean?
Enravished means so captivated, charmed, or delighted by someone or something that one's attention is completely absorbed. The word is especially associated with art, music, beauty, spectacle, and intense admiration, as in a description of an audience that is enravished by a remarkable performance. It is literary and somewhat old-fashioned rather than everyday, but it remains useful when ordinary words such as pleased or impressed do not convey enough emotional intensity. The adjective can also function as the past participle of the verb enravish, as in a phrase describing a singer who enravished her listeners. Although enravished is closely related in its history to ravish, its established modern meaning is strongly positive: it describes being overcome with wonder, delight, or fascination rather than violence.
So captivated, charmed, or delighted that one's attention is completely absorbed.
"The travelers were enravished by the beauty of the hidden valley."
Chiefly literary; often used of performances, places, people, and natural scenery that inspire intense admiration.
To captivate or enchant so completely that someone is overwhelmed with admiration or delight.
"The young violinist enravished the entire audience."
Usually encountered in literary or historical contexts; the present form is enravishes and the present participle is enravishing.
Enravished is 'captivated' with a literary flourish, describing delight so intense that the audience cannot look away.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does enravished come from?
The word was borrowed into English from French enravir, formed from the prefix en- and ravir, a word meaning to seize or carry off forcibly. Ravish ultimately derives from Latin rapere, “to seize, take, or carry off.” Although the underlying elements evoke forceful seizure, enravished has chiefly been used positively in English for enchantment, intense admiration, and delighted fascination.
Related word forms
How enravished is actually used
The word is literary and somewhat old-fashioned. It is normally positive and implies more than ordinary enjoyment, though it may suggest an almost excessive or rapturous fascination.
Easily confused with enravished
Both words mean captivated or delighted, although enraptured often conveys a sudden or overwhelming emotional reaction, while enravished commonly suggests sustained fascination and admiration.