Captiving

/ˈkæptɪvɪŋ/ adjective

Definition

Holding or tending to hold someone's complete attention; charming in a way that fascinates.

Etymology

From captive (held as a prisoner) or captivate, plus the present participle/gerund suffix -ing, suggesting the ongoing action or quality of capturing attention.

Kelly Says

Captiving is a rare variant of captivating that shows how English sometimes creates similar words with slightly different suffixes—the -ing here emphasizes the active, ongoing nature of holding someone's interest.

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