enchantment
/ɪnˈtʃɑːntmənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈtʃæntmənt/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈchant-mənt en-/ (ame, mw)
enchantment — noun
- enchantmentsingular
- enchantmentsplural
1. an intense sense of delight and captivation, usually caused by something extreme
an intense sense of delight and captivation, usually caused by something extremely beautiful or full of wonder
Yara watched the northern lights with pure enchantment on her face.
collocation: pure enchantment
The children stared at the puppet show in complete enchantment.
collocation: in complete enchantment
Dimitri felt a sudden enchantment when he first saw Kyoto's cherry blossoms.
There was a shared enchantment among the visitors watching the coral reef.
Nkechi could not hide her enchantment as the violinist began to play.
- delight
simpler, everyday happiness — lacks the magical or captivated feeling of enchantment
- fascination
strong curiosity or interest — can be for dark or dangerous things, unlike enchantment
- captivation
close in meaning but emphasises being held and unable to look away, less about warmth
- disgust
strong dislike or revulsion, the emotional opposite of enchantment
文法句型
feel enchantment at/by something
watch with enchantment
in complete enchantment
用法筆記
Used for a temporary emotional response, not a lasting quality. The feeling is often sudden and linked to a specific beautiful moment or sight.
常見錯誤
2. a deeply attractive quality in a person, place, or thing that fills others with
a deeply attractive quality in a person, place, or thing that fills others with delight and wonder
The enchantment of the old stone bridge drew Javier back every summer.
collocation: the enchantment of [place]
Amara loved the quiet enchantment of the little seaside town.
Part of the garden's enchantment lay in its hidden winding paths.
Hana captured the enchantment of dusk over the rice fields in her painting.
The innkeeper's warm smile added to the enchantment of the place.
- dullness
the complete absence of charm or interest
文法句型
the enchantment of something
something holds enchantment
something loses its enchantment
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (FEELING OF DELIGHT): sense 2 describes a quality that a thing or place has, not an emotion someone feels. Sense 1 is the feeling; sense 2 is the charm that causes it.
常見錯誤
3. a spoken charm, physical object, or ritual believed to carry magic that can cont
a spoken charm, physical object, or ritual believed to carry magic that can control or influence people
The sorcerer cast an enchantment that turned the prince into a stag.
collocation: cast an enchantment
Legends say the ring holds an enchantment that makes its wearer invisible.
pattern: [object] holds an enchantment that + clause
Kwame's grandmother warned him of enchantments that could trap careless travellers.
The old book described enchantments for summoning rain from a clear sky.
According to the story, an enchantment sealed the tower door for a hundred years.
- spell
more common and everyday; enchantment sounds more literary or fairy-tale-like
- incantation
specifically refers to spoken or chanted words of magic, not objects
- hex
always negative or harmful; enchantment can be good or bad
- counter-spell
a spell that undoes or cancels an enchantment
文法句型
cast an enchantment
an enchantment that + clause
place an enchantment on something
用法筆記
Often used in fairy tales, folklore, and fantasy contexts. Unlike sense 4 (UNDER A SPELL), this refers to the spell or magical object itself, not the state of being affected by it.
常見錯誤
4. the condition of being controlled or deeply affected by magic, unable to think o
the condition of being controlled or deeply affected by magic, unable to think or act freely
Ingrid wandered through the forest as if under an enchantment.
collocation: under an enchantment
The prince remained in enchantment until a kiss broke the spell.
collocation: remain in enchantment
Samir was under such enchantment that he forgot his own name.
The enchantment lifted at sunrise, and the castle reappeared.
Thuy moved through the market in a state of enchantment, seeing nothing clearly.
- trance
a half-conscious state — can be non-magical; enchantment always implies magic
- bewitchment
the state of being under a witch's power — more negative and specific than enchantment
文法句型
under an enchantment
in a state of enchantment
fall under an enchantment
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (MAGIC SPELL): sense 3 names the magical thing itself (e.g. a spoken charm); sense 4 names the condition a person is in because of that magic. Often appears in the phrase 'under an enchantment'.