riveted: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Informal (depends on context; literal use often technical, figurative use common in general prose)
Quick answer
What does “riveted” mean?
To fasten with a rivet (metal bolt).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To fasten with a rivet (metal bolt); figuratively, to hold something firmly in place or to capture one's complete attention.
Describes a state of being completely absorbed, focused, or immobilized by something, as if physically fastened to it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling remains 'riveted' in both.
Connotations
Identical connotations of strong focus or fascination in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in figurative use in AmE according to corpora, but widely used in both.
Grammar
How to Use “riveted” in a Sentence
be riveted by [something]be riveted to [something]have [someone] rivetedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “riveted” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The steel plates were expertly riveted together.
- She was utterly riveted by the documentary.
American English
- The aircraft skin is riveted for durability.
- The entire jury was riveted by the witness's testimony.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might describe an audience's reaction to a compelling presentation.
Academic
Used in literary analysis or descriptions of psychological states.
Everyday
Common in describing reactions to films, stories, or dramatic events.
Technical
Primary meaning in engineering/construction for joining metal plates.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “riveted”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “riveted”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “riveted”
- Confusing with 'riveting' (adj). 'Riveted' describes a state; 'riveting' describes the thing causing the state. Incorrect: 'The book was very riveting on me.' Correct: 'I was riveted by the book.' / 'The book was riveting.']
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. While objects can be literally riveted, the figurative use ('completely focused') almost always describes the state of a person or their attention/gaze.
Neutral to positive. It describes intensity of focus, which can be due to a positive fascination or a negative, horrifying spectacle.
They are close synonyms. 'Riveted' often implies a more immobilizing, involuntary focus, sometimes with a sense of shock, while 'captivated' can suggest a more pleasurable, charming attraction.
Yes, but it's less common than the passive ('I was riveted'). The active form is more literary or emphatic: 'The film riveted the audience from start to finish.'
To fasten with a rivet (metal bolt).
Riveted is usually formal/informal (depends on context; literal use often technical, figurative use common in general prose) in register.
Riveted: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɪv.ɪ.tɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɪv.ə.t̬ɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Riveted to the spot (unable to move due to shock/fear)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of RIVETS holding steel beams together; your attention is 'riveted' when it's held that firmly.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTENTION IS A PHYSICAL BOND (held fast, fixed in place).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'riveted' used in its LITERAL, technical sense?