Enchantment is a noun with three related meanings. It can refer to a magic spell, a spellboundcaptivated so strongly that attention cannot easily move away mental state, or a strong feeling of delighta very pleasant feeling of happiness or enjoyment and fascinationa powerful interest or attraction that holds attention with something unusual or beautiful.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ɪnˈtʃæntmənt/
Easy pronunciation: in-CHANT-ment (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the second syllable, CHANT.
Use this for the noun meaning a feeling of great liking, delight, or fascination.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Enchantment Meaning
a strong feeling of delight or fascination
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a feeling of great liking for something wonderful and unusual
Example: The old garden held a quiet enchantment that drew visitors back again and again.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- captivation — A strong sense of being deeply interested or charmed.
- fascination — A natural substitute when enchantment means being strongly charmed or intrigued.
- enthrallment — Works well in formal use, though it is less common in everyday English.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Enchantment
Meaning 2
a magic spell
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a magical spell
Example: The wizard broke the enchantment with a single word.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- bewitchment — A direct synonym when enchantment means a spell or magical influence.
Meaning 3
a spellbound or trance-like state
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
Example: The music seemed to put the audience in a kind of enchantment.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- spell — Used in the sense of being under a spell.
- trance — Fits the altered mental-state meaning, though it is not always interchangeable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Enchantment Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- captivation
- fascination
- enthrallment
a magical spell
- bewitchment
a spellbound or trance-like state
- spell
- trance
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using enchantment to mean only a magical trick. In everyday English, it often means being deeply charmed or delighted.
- Mixing up enchantment with enthrallment in the sense of control by force. Enchantment usually suggests delight, charm, or magical influence, not coercion.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does enchantment mean?
Enchantment most commonly means a feeling of being charmed or delighted by something wonderful. It can also mean a magical spell or a spellbound state.
What is a good synonym for enchantment?
For the most common meaning, good synonyms are fascination and captivation. For the magic sense, bewitchment is a closer match.
Is enchantment always about magic?
No. It can refer to magic, but in modern English it often describes a feeling of delight, charm, or fascination.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
