spellbinding

UK: /ˈspɛlbaɪndɪŋ/

From the verb spellbind: (⇒ conjugate)

spellbinding is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

spell•bind /ˈspɛlˌbaɪnd/   v. [~ + object] , -bound, -bind•ing. 

1. to hold by or as if by a spell; enchant:
   They were spellbound by her fabulous performance.

spell•bind•er, n. [countable]
spell•bound /ˈspɛlˌbaʊnd/  adj.: 

a spellbound audience.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

spell•bind  (spel′bīnd′), v.t., -bound, -bind•ing. 

1. to hold or bind by or as if by a spell;
   enchant;
   entrance;
   fascinate.

• spell² + bind, deduced from spellbound 1800–10

spell′bind′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

spellbind / ˈspɛlˌbaɪnd/ verb ( -binds, -binding, -bound)

1. (transitive) to cause to be spellbound; entrance or enthral