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What is a word for completely fascinated? I want to convey the same meaning but using only one word if possible. Using two big words for this seems like an overkill.

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I like Claire's suggestions, and arik-so's mesmerised and captivated; I'm less convinced by intrigued as to me it signifies mere piquing of curiousity rather than fascination, and by engrossed as it is closer to being very involved in a task than fascination with a subject. – Graham Snyder Nov 6 '11 at 12:44
Agreed intriguing is more about piquing curiousity than mesmerising/captivating, but engrossing doesn't have to involve active participation in a task. In fact, mesmerising / mesmerizing doesn't occur that often in relation to films / movies, but engrossing is actually more common than captivating in this context. – FumbleFingers Nov 6 '11 at 14:41
Substitute "an activity" for "a task" and I would say my assertion holds - engrossing has more to do with holding your full attention than provoking interest/fascination. The fact that it's more commonly used than captivating in the context of films is not particularly relevant - a film can be both captivating and engrossing without redundancy. – Graham Snyder Nov 6 '11 at 17:00
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I voted to close this question because you could use a thesaurus to look up synonyms for fascinated. – KitFox♦ Nov 7 '11 at 0:46
Completely fascinated as opposed to partially fascinated? – Urbycoz Nov 7 '11 at 11:13

closed as general reference by KitFox♦, aedia λ, MrHen, simchona♦, Mitch Nov 7 '11 at 15:52

This question is too basic; it can be definitively and permanently answered by a single link to a standard internet reference source designed specifically to find that type of information. See the FAQ for guidance on how to improve it.

6 Answers

up vote 9 down vote accepted

entranced! enthralled! enchanted!

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up vote 6 down vote

I might go with engrossed.

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My rule of thumb is that a movie must be engrossing if it's longer than, say, two hours, and I don't notice this unless I check my watch or have some other reminder of the passage of time (my brain likes engrossing movies, but my bladder doesn't! :) – FumbleFingers Nov 6 '11 at 14:46
I can only assume the downvoter doesn't have a dictionary. :) – onomatomaniak Nov 6 '11 at 20:40
Or agrees with @Graham Snyder that to be engrossed in something implies you must in some way be an "active" participant in whatever it is (which I don't think is the case). – FumbleFingers Nov 6 '11 at 20:53
up vote 4 down vote

Smitten can be used, I think.

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up vote 3 down vote

What about:

Amazed, captivated, intrigued, mesmerized, (maybe awestruck, might be applicable in some cases)?

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up vote 1 down vote

Enraptured must be mentioned, to accompany "entranced! enthralled! enchanted!" and engrossed. Enrapture means "to fill with great delight or joy; to fascinate."

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up vote 1 down vote

I like arik-so's intrigued. Alternatively, I suggest enthralled.

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