totally engrossed

Meaning

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Giving all your attention to something so that you do not notice anything else.

   Grammar: Used after a linking verb such as 'be', 'seem' or 'look', and usually followed by 'in': She was totally engrossed in her work.

   Patterns

   • be totally engrossed in something
   • seem totally engrossed
   • look totally engrossed

   He was totally engrossed in his book and didn't hear me come in.

   The children were totally engrossed in the game and forgot the time.

   She seemed totally engrossed in the conversation and missed her stop.

Common combinations

totally engrossed in

They were totally engrossed in the film from the first minute.

completely engrossed

He was completely engrossed in his painting all afternoon.

engrossed in conversation

The two of them were totally engrossed in conversation.

appear totally engrossed

She appeared totally engrossed in what he was saying.

Synonyms and how they differ

absorbed

Very close in meaning and also followed by 'in'; 'engrossed' often suggests a slightly stronger, more focused attention.

rapt

More literary and suggests great delight as well as attention; it is not usually followed by 'in'.

immersed

Emphasizes being surrounded by an activity; it can also be used for language learning, unlike 'engrossed'.

Opposites

Word family

engross verb

To hold someone's complete attention.

engrossing adjective

Describing something that holds your attention completely, such as a story.

Commonly confused: totally engrossed or grossed?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “totally engrossed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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