captivatingly

IPA/kˈaptɪvˌeɪtɪŋli/
IPA/kˈæptᵻvˌeɪɾɪŋli/

captivatingly — adverb

1. In a way that strongly holds attention because it seems charming and attractive.

1.adverbC1
Definition

In a way that strongly holds attention because it seems charming and attractive.

Example

Yuki spoke captivatingly about the small islands near Okinawa.

captivatingly + spoke about [topic]

Dylan smiled captivatingly from the stage during the final song.

Common collocations
  • speak captivatingly
  • smile captivatingly
  • describe captivatingly
  • captivatingly arranged
Synonyms
  • charmingly

    Usually more common and slightly lighter in tone

  • attractively

    Often focuses more on appearance than on holding attention

  • enchantingly

    More literary and suggests a dreamy or magical effect

Antonyms
  • dully

    Without anything lively or attractive enough to hold attention

Grammar Patterns

captivatingly + verb

captivatingly + past participle

Usage Note

Usually describes speech, expression, performance, or visual presentation that draws people in immediately. It is more literary and stronger than simply saying something is done nicely.

Common Mistakes

She gave a captivatingly smile to the camera.
She gave a captivating smile to the camera.
Use captivating as an adjective before a noun, but use captivatingly when it modifies a verb or participle.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Charmingly often sounds lighter and more everyday, especially for pleasant behavior or style. Attractively usually points more directly to good looks or design. Enchantingly is more literary and suggests a magical or dreamlike effect. Captivatingly is strongest when the thing described actively holds a listener's or viewer's attention.

charmingly ↗attractively ↗enchantingly ↗

Etymology

English

Built from captivate and the adjective captivating, with the adverb suffix -ly added to express manner. The underlying idea is of holding someone's attention as if they were charmed by what they see or hear.

First known use

1675

1675, in the meaning defined above