thrall: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “thrall” mean?
A slave or servant.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A slave or servant; a state of bondage or servitude.
A state of being captivated or fascinated, as if under a spell or control.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both variants use the word similarly.
Connotations
Conveys an old-fashioned, literary tone in both dialects, sometimes with a poetic or dramatic feel.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English due to historical texts, but overall rare in modern usage for both.
Grammar
How to Use “thrall” in a Sentence
be in thrall to [someone/something]hold [someone/something] in thrallVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thrall” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- In archaic usage, sorcerers were said to thrall their enemies with magic.
American English
- Historical texts mention how rulers would thrall populations through fear.
adjective
British English
- He led a thralled existence, bound by ancient vows.
American English
- Her thralled mindset prevented any independent thought.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; might appear metaphorically in discussions about control or influence, e.g., 'in thrall to market forces'.
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or sociological contexts to describe servitude or fascination, e.g., 'medieval thralls' or 'intellectual thrall'.
Everyday
Very rare; mostly in fixed phrases or literary references, e.g., 'held in thrall by a story'.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields; no specialized meaning.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thrall”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thrall”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thrall”
- Using 'thrall' as a verb directly (the standard verb is 'enthrall'), e.g., incorrect: 'He thralled them' instead of 'He enthralled them'.
- Confusing 'thrall' with 'thrills', which means excitement.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is rare and mostly found in formal, literary, or historical contexts, often in fixed phrases like 'in thrall to'.
Rarely in modern English; the more common verb is 'enthrall'. 'Thrall' as a verb is archaic and might appear in historical or poetic writing.
'Thrall' often carries metaphorical or historical connotations, implying mental or emotional bondage, while 'slave' is more direct and commonly refers to physical servitude.
In British English, it's pronounced /θrɔːl/; in American English, it's /θrɑːl/. Both start with the 'th' sound as in 'think'.
A slave or servant.
Thrall is usually formal/literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in thrall to”
- “under the thrall of”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'thrall' as 'thr-all' – when you're in thrall, you're under the control of all, like a slave bound to everyone.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTROL IS BONDAGE; FASCINATION IS ENSLAVEMENT.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'thrall'?