WordGarden.ioenchantment
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɛntʃˈɑːntmənt/
US
- /ɛnˈtʃæntmənt/
Meanings
Noun
a feeling of delight, fascination, or charm
a magic spell or act of magical influence
a magical effect added to an item or character in a game or fantasy setting
Beyond the definition
Enchantment is not just about spells and fairy dust, though it can be. It is also the feeling of being deeply charmed by something lovely, surprising, or a little mysterious. You might feel enchantment while watching a beautiful sunset, hearing a moving song, or listening to a storyteller who completely holds your attention.
The word comes from Old French and is linked to the idea of charming or casting a spell. A forest in a fairy tale may be under enchantment, full of hidden magic and strange beauty. In everyday English, though, the word more often describes a strong feeling of joy and wonder caused by something beautiful or captivating.
Enchantment refers to two closely connected ideas. First, it can mean a magical spell or the state of being under one. In fairy tales and fantasy stories, someone may fall under an enchantment, an object may be protected by one, or a place may seem changed by hidden magic. This is the older and more literal meaning of the word.
Second, enchantment often means a feeling of deep delight, wonder, or fascination. A person may feel it when walking through a quiet forest, hearing beautiful music, or seeing something so lovely that it seems almost unreal. In this sense, the word suggests more than simple pleasure. It carries a sense of charm, beauty, and emotional pull, as if the moment has a kind of magic even when nothing supernatural is happening.
Today, enchantment is still common in fantasy language, but it is also widely used in a figurative way. People use it to describe the effect that beauty, art, nature, or love can have on the mind and emotions. Whether it refers to a wizard's spell or to the quiet power of a memorable experience, the word points to something that captures attention and fills a person with wonder.
Examples
- 1
Place atmosphere
The village has a quiet enchantment at sunrise, when the streets are still empty.
- 2
Wonder
The children watched in silent enchantment as the lights slowly filled the room.
- 3
Lifestyle charm
After a week by the sea, she fell under the enchantment of island life.
- Phrasefall under the enchantment of
become strongly charmed by
- 4
Broken mood
A loud phone call broke the enchantment of the evening.
- Phrasebreak the enchantment
end a special, magical feeling
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Magic spell
In the novel, an enchantment protects the castle from strangers.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- sense of enchantment
- childlike enchantment
- the enchantment of childhood
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- enchantmentnoun
Forms
- enchantmentspluralnoun