1. To gain and to hold the attention of others by being extremely interesting, exciting, fascinating, or attractive: The textbook about biology has been captivating students in the teacher's class for years.

The singer captivated the audience with her beauty and wonderful songs.

The actress captivates the audience with her looks, voice, and dramatic flair.

2. Etymology: from Latin captivus, "caught, taken prisoner"; from captus, capere, "to take, to hold, to seize".