What does ravishingly mean?
Ravishingly is an adverb meaning exceptionally beautiful, attractive, or delightful, often describing a person, garment, performance, or setting that has a striking and captivating effect. The most familiar expression is “ravishingly beautiful,” though the word can also convey overwhelming approval, as in “ravishingly good.” Its force comes from the plain sense of something so attractive that it seems almost impossible to look away. Because “ravishingly” is emphatic and complimentary, it is especially effective in descriptive writing, reviews, captions, and personal praise. It is common in both British and American English, though its strongest associations are with elegance and beauty. In less formal contexts, it can intensify any strongly positive assessment, but using it indiscriminately may sound exaggerated or theatrical.
adverbIn a way that is exceptionally beautiful, attractive, or delightful. It can also mean to an overwhelming degree, especially in expressions such as “ravishingly good.”
- In an exceptionally beautiful, attractive, or delightful manner.
- To an overwhelming degree, especially when describing something highly pleasing.
"She looked ravishingly elegant in the emerald-green dress."
"The bride looked ravishingly beautiful in her grandmother’s lace gown."
"The new restaurant is ravishingly good, especially its lemon tart."
Ravishingly began with the idea of being captivatingly intense: the word’s distant root means “to seize,” and its modern sense celebrates something that overwhelms the eye with beauty.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ravishingly come from?
“Ravishingly” derives from “ravishing,” which comes from the verb “ravish.” “Ravish” entered English through Anglo-French and ultimately from Latin rapere, meaning “to seize” or “to carry off.” The word historically conveyed the idea of being seized or overcome; its later association with intense beauty developed from descriptions of someone captivating or enchanting. Related English words such as “rapture,” “rapturous,” and “rapacious” trace to the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How ravishingly is actually used
Strongly positive and generally emphatic. It is especially common before adjectives such as “beautiful” and in informal expressions where it conveys enthusiastic approval.
Easily confused with ravishingly
Ravishingly describes exceptional beauty or a strong positive effect, whereas ravingly means in a wildly enthusiastic or irrational way.