spellbinder: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Literary, descriptive, sometimes journalistic.
Quick answer
What does “spellbinder” mean?
A speaker or performance that holds an audience completely fascinated and absorbed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A speaker or performance that holds an audience completely fascinated and absorbed.
Something (a book, film, idea) that captivates the mind with intense interest; a compelling, riveting person or thing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English, particularly in political/journalistic contexts to describe charismatic orators. In British English, slightly more literary.
Connotations
Both varieties share the core connotation of fascination. In AmE, it can have a pragmatic, populist nuance (e.g., a spellbinding campaigner). In BrE, it may lean slightly more towards artistic or intellectual captivation.
Frequency
Low-frequency in both, but recognisable to educated speakers. More likely encountered in written reviews or commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “spellbinder” in a Sentence
[be] a spellbinder[have] the quality of a spellbinder[act/perform] like a spellbinderVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spellbinder” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The veteran politician was known in the House as a spellbinder, capable of swaying votes with his rhetoric.
- Her one-woman show was less a play and more a spellbinder, leaving the audience speechless.
American English
- The senator emerged as the party's chief spellbinder, drawing huge crowds to his rallies.
- That mystery novel is a real spellbinder; I couldn't put it down all weekend.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly used metaphorically for a uniquely persuasive presenter or pitch.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, rhetoric, or performance studies to analyse charismatic delivery.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Might be used in discussing a thrilling film or speaker.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spellbinder”
- Using it to mean 'someone who is good at spelling'.
- Confusing it with 'spellbinding' as the more common adjective form.
- Using it in overly casual contexts where 'great speaker' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, somewhat literary word. The adjective 'spellbinding' is more common.
Yes, though less common. A book, film, or idea can be described as a spellbinder if it completely captivates.
A spellbinder implies an almost magical, hypnotic quality of captivation that goes beyond mere skill or eloquence.
It is neutral-to-formal and descriptive. It would sound odd in very casual, everyday conversation.
A speaker or performance that holds an audience completely fascinated and absorbed.
Spellbinder: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɛlˌbaɪn.dər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɛlˌbaɪn.dɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hold/weave a spell”
- “under someone's spell”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a speaker who BINDS you with a SPELL of words.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTENTION IS CAPTIVITY / PERSUASION IS MAGIC.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'spellbinder' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?