spellboundspell‧bound /ˈspelbaʊnd/ adjective 
‘King Lear’ still holds audiences spellbound.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Millions of Japanese listened spellbound as they heard the Emperor speak in public for the first time.
- On clear nights we were spellbound by the strange flickering of the Northern lights in the sky.
- The Firebird is a magical ballet that still holds audiences spellbound.
- Children will be spellbound by the adventures of James.
- Her prose has always relied on a certain musicality and lyricism to seduce and keep us spellbound.
- His hand held her head up, his lips held her spellbound.
- In spite of the gathering clouds of rage, however, once again Ana held Maggie spellbound.
- Mark had adored his grandparents and would listen spellbound to their stories for hours on end.
- The audience was left spellbound by the skills and techniques shown.
- We must obey Fincara; we are spellbound.
THESAURUSso interested that you give something all your attention
[not before noun] very interested in something, so that you give it all your attention and do not notice anything else: · Jane was lying on the sofa engrossed in a novel.· She was so absorbed in her own thoughts that she didn’t hear me call.
[not before noun] very interested, especially in a story you are reading, a film you are watching etc, so that you are eager to find out what happens next: · It was a brilliant book and I was gripped from beginning to end.· I was so riveted by the film that I forgot the time.
written very interested and enjoying something very much, so that you want to see or hear more: · From the opening line of the play, the audience was completely enthralled.
[not before noun] written extremely interested in something very strange or wonderful, so that you are unable to move or think of anything else: · He could hold audiences spellbound with the power of his voice.· They all listened, spellbound.
formal showing by your expression that you are very interested in something and are giving all your attention to it: · He spoke before a rapt audience.· The congregation listened with rapt attention.
informal to be extremely interested in what someone is telling you: · Tell me exactly what happened. I’m all ears.
Longman Language Activatorso interested that you give all your attention to something so interested in something that you give it all your attention and do not notice or pay attention to other things: absorbed in: · Penny and Sam were so absorbed in their game, that they didn't hear me call.· Dad was obviously far too absorbed in his own difficulties to be interested in mine.· I saw Bill walking across the park, absorbed in his own thoughts.
extremely interested by a book, film, event etc or by what someone is saying, so that you cannot stop reading, watching, listening etc: · It was a brilliant documentary. I sat absolutely riveted from beginning to end.· I was completely gripped as soon as I opened the book. gripped/riveted by: · We stopped the car, riveted by the sight of a village wedding in progress.
extremely interested in something such as a book or your work, so that you do not notice anything that is happening around you: · As she worked, she became so engrossed that she lost all sense of time.engrossed in: · Jane was sitting in bed, engrossed in a novel.· They appeared to be engrossed in their conversation and I didn't want to disturb them.
to be too interested in something, so that you cannot stop thinking about it or spending your time on it: · He spends all his time fiddling about with cars - he's completely obsessed.obsessed by/with: · As an artist, he was obsessed with sex and death.· People seem to be obsessed by health issues these days.become obsessed: · She became obsessed with the idea of making money.
very interested and excited by a story or by something that you see or hear, so that you give all your attention to it: · From the opening line of the play, the audience was completely enthralled.listen/watch etc enthralled: · We listened enthralled as she told us the story of her life.enthralled by: · I was completely enthralled by the world of the theatre, and knew that I wanted to act.
also mesmerised British unable to stop looking at something or listening to someone because they completely keep your attention: · She stood there mesmerized as he picked up the gun and turned it slowly towards her.mesmerized by: · It was as if the audience was completely mesmerized by the small figure on the stage.
so interested by something, especially something strange or wonderful, that you are unable to move or think of anything else: listen/watch/wait etc spellbound: · Millions of Japanese listened spellbound as they heard the Emperor speak in public for the first time.spellbound by: · On clear nights we were spellbound by the strange flickering of the Northern lights in the sky.held somebody spellbound: · The Firebird is a magical ballet that still holds audiences spellbound.
spoken to be extremely interested in what someone is telling you, and listen very carefully to it: · Tell me exactly what happened. I'm all ears.· Everyone was all ears as soon as I mentioned a cash prize.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY ‘King Lear’ still holds audiences spellbound.
extremely interested in something you are listening to: ‘King Lear’ still holds audiences spellbound. ‘King Lear’ still holds audiences spellbound.- schoolroom
- school run
- schoolteacher
- school tie
- schoolwork
- schoolyard
- schooner
- Schroeder, Gerhard
- schtick
- schtum
- Schubert, Franz
- Schulz, Charles
- Schumann, Robert
- schwa
- Schwarzenegger, Arnold
- Schweitzer, Albert
- sciatic
- sciatica
- science
- science fiction
- Science Museum
- science park
- scientific
- scientifically
- Scientific American