Meaning & use
enchanted
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“enchanted” is a form of “enchant”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
Feeling great delight and wonder, as if under a pleasant spell.
Grammar: Used after linking verbs like be, feel, look: 'I was enchanted by the garden.' Not usually compared.
Patterns
- be enchanted by something
- be enchanted with something
- feel enchanted
We were enchanted by the old town and stayed an extra day.
She felt enchanted by the music and forgot the time.
The children looked enchanted as the story was told.
adjectivebefore a nounliterary
Placed under a magic spell, as in fairy tales and fantasy.
Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: enchanted forest, enchanted castle. It can also follow a linking verb.
Patterns
- enchanted forest
- enchanted castle
- an enchanted object
The prince entered the enchanted forest at night.
An enchanted mirror showed her the truth.
The story is about an enchanted princess who sleeps for a hundred years.
Common combinations
- enchanted forest
- The film is set in a dark enchanted forest.
- enchanted by
- I was completely enchanted by the view from the mountain.
- enchanted with
- He was enchanted with the little village and its people.
- enchanted castle
- The children drew an enchanted castle with tall towers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- charmed
- Charmed can mean delighted, but it often suggests a lighter, more social pleasure; enchanted is stronger and more magical.
- captivated
- Captivated means your attention is completely held; enchanted adds a feeling of wonder and delight.
- bewitched
- Bewitched is closer to literal magic and can suggest being controlled; enchanted is usually positive and gentle.
Opposites
Word family
- enchant verb
- To please someone greatly, or to put a magic spell on someone.
- enchantment noun
- A feeling of great delight, or a magic spell.
- enchanting adjective
- Very pleasant and attractive; charming.
- enchanter noun
- A person who uses magic, especially in stories.
Commonly confused: enchanted or enchanting?
enchanted vs enchanting
Enchanting describes the thing that causes delight (an enchanting garden); enchanted describes the person or thing that feels or is affected by it (I was enchanted).
Practice
Which sentence is correct?
Choose one answer.
'Enchanted' is the adjective for the feeling you have. 'Enchanting' would describe the garden itself, 'enchant' is a verb, and 'enchantment' is a noun, so none of the others fits after 'felt'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “enchanted”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.