What is spellbinding? Pronunciation and usage in English

spellbinding means . Learn how to pronounce and use spellbinding through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of spellbinding

spellbindingadjective

/ˈspelbaɪndɪŋ//ˈspelbaɪndɪŋ/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "spellbinding." It's a tricky word because it has a few sounds! Here's a breakdown:

1. Initial Sound: "Spell"

  • "Spell" is pronounced like "spel" (rhymes with "hell"). It's a short "e" sound.

2. Middle Sound: "Bind"

  • "Bind" is pronounced like "bind" (rhymes with "kind"). It's a "b" sound followed by a "n" and then a "d."

3. Ending Sound: "-ing"

  • "-ing" is pronounced like "ing" (as in "sing").

Putting it all together:

SPELL-BIND-ING

Here’s a slightly more detailed breakdown of each syllable:

  • SPELL: /spel/ (S like in "sky," ell like in "tell")
  • BIND: /bind/ (B like in “ball,” n like in “no,” d like in "dog")
  • ING: /ing/ (as in “ring”)

Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Emphasis: The emphasis is generally on the first syllable ("SPELL").
  • Smooth Transition: The key is to connect the "spell" and "bind" syllables smoothly. Don't pause noticeably between them.

Resources to Help You Hear It:

  • Google Search: Search "how to pronounce spellbinding" on Google and you’ll find audio pronunciations.
  • Forvo: https://www.forvo.com/word/spellbinding/ - This website lets you hear the word pronounced by native speakers.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "spellbinding"?

Usage and examples with the word spellbinding in English

Let's break down how to use the word "spellbinding" effectively in English. It's a wonderfully evocative word, but it's important to use it correctly to convey its meaning.

1. What Does "Spellbinding" Mean?

"Spellbinding" means utterly captivating, fascinating, and holding your attention completely. It suggests something so enthralling that it feels almost magical or hypnotic. It’s stronger than simply “interesting” or “engaging.” It implies a deeply immersive experience.

2. How to Use It - Examples & Contexts

Here's how you can incorporate "spellbinding" into your sentences, categorized by what it's describing:

  • Experiences (Performances, Events, Stories): This is the most common usage.

    • "The magician’s performance was spellbinding; the audience was completely silent."
    • "Her storytelling was spellbinding – I couldn’t take my eyes off the page."
    • “The concert was truly spellbinding; the lights, the music, the atmosphere – it all combined to create a magical experience.”
    • “The view from the mountaintop was spellbinding, stretching out as far as the eye could see.”

  • People (Especially Speakers or Performers):

    • “The speaker’s passionate delivery made his presentation utterly spellbinding.”
    • “Her voice has a spellbinding quality that draws you in.”
    • “The actor gave a spellbinding performance, completely transforming himself into the character.”

  • Places (Often evoking a sense of wonder or beauty):

    • "The ancient ruins were spellbinding, whispering tales of a lost civilization."
    • “The forest at twilight was spellbinding, filled with shadows and the sounds of nocturnal creatures.”

  • Abstract Concepts (Rare, but possible): You can use it to describe a feeling or idea, but it's less common.

    • “The beauty of the music was spellbinding, filling the room with a sense of peace.” (This is a bit more metaphorical).

3. Important Notes & Tips:

  • Strong Adjective: "Spellbinding" is a strong adjective. Don't use it lightly. It should be reserved for truly remarkable things.
  • Follow with Detail: Because "spellbinding" is a powerful word, often you’ll want to follow it with a description that shows why it was spellbinding. Don’t just say "The movie was spellbinding." Say "The movie was spellbinding, with its breathtaking visuals and suspenseful score.”
  • Synonyms (to help understand the nuance):
    • Captivating
    • Fascinating
    • Mesmerizing
    • Enchanting
    • Absorbing
    • Riveting
    • Gripping

4. Example Sentences Combining Several of the Above:

  • “The ballerina’s performance was utterly spellbinding, her movements graceful and precise, holding the audience in a silent, captivated trance.”
  • “The documentary about the Amazon rainforest was spellbinding, revealing the incredible biodiversity and the urgent need for conservation.”

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you hoping to use "spellbinding" in? (e.g., a story, an essay, a conversation?)
  • What are you describing? (e.g., a performance, a place, a person?)

Synonyms for the word spellbinding

Practice with vocabulary spellbinding

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The speaker's delivery was so ____________________ that the entire audience remained absolutely silent, completely engrossed in his every word.
  2. Her ability to articulate complex ideas with such clarity makes her presentations incredibly ____________________, ensuring high engagement from all participants.
  3. Critics praised the director's latest film for its ____________________ narrative and breathtaking cinematography, describing it as a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.
  4. The team's innovative solution to the long-standing problem was widely considered both ____________________ and highly effective by the project stakeholders.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The documentary's exploration of ancient civilizations was truly ____________________, offering viewers a profound and immersive historical journey. a) tedious b) spellbinding c) mundane d) enthralling e) uninteresting

  2. The sudden shift in market trends required a ____________________ and decisive response from the company's leadership. a) hesitant b) ambiguous c) prompt d) dilatory e) swift

  3. Despite its technical complexity, the physicist's explanation of quantum mechanics was so clear and articulate that it became a ____________________ lecture. a) bewildering b) captivating c) dull d) spellbinding e) tedious

  4. The team's presentation provided ____________________ insights into potential future challenges, prompting a serious re-evaluation of current strategies. a) superficial b) profound c) trivial d) astute e) shallow

  5. The prima ballerina's performance was absolutely ____________________, holding the audience in rapt attention from her first pirouette to her final bow. a) monotonous b) enthralling c) uninspired d) spellbinding e) tedious

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The professor's lecture on astrophysics was so fascinating that no one in the auditorium dared to look away. (Rewrite using "spellbinding" or a related word form.)

  2. The artist's new exhibition created an experience that completely engrossed everyone who visited. (Rewrite using "spellbinding" or a related word form.)

  3. The innovative marketing campaign garnered immense attention and praise from industry experts. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, but do not use "spellbinding" or its forms.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. spellbinding
  2. compelling
  3. spellbinding
  4. ingenious

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) spellbinding, d) enthralling
  2. c) prompt, e) swift
  3. b) captivating, d) spellbinding
  4. b) profound, d) astute
  5. b) enthralling, d) spellbinding

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The professor delivered a spellbinding lecture on astrophysics, captivating the entire auditorium. (Alternative: The professor's lecture on astrophysics was spellbinding, ensuring no one in the auditorium dared to look away.)
  2. The artist's new exhibition offered a spellbinding experience, completely engrossing every visitor.
  3. The innovative marketing campaign garnered remarkable attention and praise from industry experts. (Alternative suitable replacements for "remarkable" include: "impressive," "extraordinary," "phenomenal")

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