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Definition of engrossing

engrossing

/ɪnˈɡroʊ.sɪŋ/
en · gross · ing
Adverb:engrossingly
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engrossing Lexical Profile

engrossing Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Absorbing all of one's attention or interest; deeply engaging and fascinating.

Example

"The historian wrote an engrossing account of the ancient trade routes across Central Asia."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

engraving
engross
engrossedly
engrossing
engrossingly
engstligen
engulf

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived as a participial adjective from the verb 'engross', which comes from Old French 'en gros' (in large quantities or wholesale) and Anglo-French 'engrosser' (to write in large letters or buy up the whole of a commodity), later evolving to mean monopolizing someone's complete attention.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Engrossing. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/engrossing
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