Transfix
verb
To make someone unable to move or stop looking because of shock, surprise, or fascination.
She was transfixed by the horror of the scene.
Often appears as...
- transfixed in horror
- transfixed by beauty
verb
To pierce with a sharp implement or weapon.
He was transfixed by a spear.
Often appears as...
- transfixed by a sword
- transfixed in place
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To make someone unable to move or stop looking because of shock, surprise, or fascination.
She was transfixed by the horror of the scene.
Often appears as...
- transfixed in horror
- transfixed by beauty
verb
To pierce with a sharp implement or weapon.
He was transfixed by a spear.
Often appears as...
- transfixed by a sword
- transfixed in place
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Intense Focus
Use 'transfix' to describe someone completely focused, as if frozen in place.
During the magic show, the children were transfixed by the tricks.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
'Transfix' often describes strong emotions metaphorically, not just physical immobility.
Audience members were transfixed in amazement by the singer's voice.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Situations
Commonly used in context of negative or shocking situations that command attention.
The news of the tragedy transfixed the whole nation.
Pro Tip 1/3Intense Focus
Use 'transfix' to describe someone completely focused, as if frozen in place.
During the magic show, the children were transfixed by the tricks.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
'Transfix' often describes strong emotions metaphorically, not just physical immobility.
Audience members were transfixed in amazement by the singer's voice.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Situations
Commonly used in context of negative or shocking situations that command attention.
The news of the tragedy transfixed the whole nation.
Pro Tip 1/3Intense Focus
Use 'transfix' to describe someone completely focused, as if frozen in place.
During the magic show, the children were transfixed by the tricks.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
'Transfix' often describes strong emotions metaphorically, not just physical immobility.
Audience members were transfixed in amazement by the singer's voice.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Situations
Commonly used in context of negative or shocking situations that command attention.
The news of the tragedy transfixed the whole nation.
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Video examples
The magic ingredient...
In my junior year, my computer graphics professor showed us these wonderful short films. It was the first computer animation any of us had ever seen. I watched these films in wonder, transfixed, fireworks going off in my head, thinking, "That is what I want to do with my life."
Video examples
The moral roots of...
when they finally come face to face with the statue they both freeze dead in their tracks the first guy we'll call him adam is transfixed by the beauty of the perfect human form second guy we'll call him bill is transfixed by embarrassment it's staring at the
Video examples
Ariel Garten: Know...
Ourselves. Much of the time we're transfixed by all of the ways we can reflect ourselves out into the world. And we can barely find the time to reflect deeply back in on our own selves. We've cluttered ourselves up with all this.
Video examples
Seven Wonders of the New...
of light in the sky. I'm not sure I even knew the meaning of the word 'science' then, but I wanted somehow to immerse myself in all that grandeur. I was gripped by the splendor of the universe, transfixed
Video examples
Computing with fluids PIPE...
can climb Hills by the way about the back of your head you should be thinking where is the energy source you can have them line up like a soldier's and you can literally turn them into a transfixed dance
Video examples
Tom Chatfield: 7 ways...
I'm in awe of their power in terms of imagination, in terms of technology, in terms of concept. But I think, above all, I'm in awe at their power to motivate, to compel us, to transfix us,
Video examples
BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...
transfixed this is certainly eye
Video examples
Nature's Greatest...
transfixed this is certainly eye
Video examples
The Life Story...
transfixed this is certainly eye
Video examples
The Bowerbird's Grand...
She appears to be transfixed.
Video examples
The magic ingredient...
In my junior year, my computer graphics professor showed us these wonderful short films. It was the first computer animation any of us had ever seen. I watched these films in wonder, transfixed, fireworks going off in my head, thinking, "That is what I want to do with my life."
Video examples
The moral roots of...
when they finally come face to face with the statue they both freeze dead in their tracks the first guy we'll call him adam is transfixed by the beauty of the perfect human form second guy we'll call him bill is transfixed by embarrassment it's staring at the
Video examples
Ariel Garten: Know...
Ourselves. Much of the time we're transfixed by all of the ways we can reflect ourselves out into the world. And we can barely find the time to reflect deeply back in on our own selves. We've cluttered ourselves up with all this.
Video examples
Seven Wonders of the New...
of light in the sky. I'm not sure I even knew the meaning of the word 'science' then, but I wanted somehow to immerse myself in all that grandeur. I was gripped by the splendor of the universe, transfixed
Video examples
Computing with fluids PIPE...
can climb Hills by the way about the back of your head you should be thinking where is the energy source you can have them line up like a soldier's and you can literally turn them into a transfixed dance
Video examples
Tom Chatfield: 7 ways...
I'm in awe of their power in terms of imagination, in terms of technology, in terms of concept. But I think, above all, I'm in awe at their power to motivate, to compel us, to transfix us,
Video examples
BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...
transfixed this is certainly eye
Video examples
Nature's Greatest...
transfixed this is certainly eye
Video examples
The Life Story...
transfixed this is certainly eye
Video examples
The Bowerbird's Grand...
She appears to be transfixed.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Tom Chatfield
British Author
I love video games. I'm also slightly in awe of them. I'm in awe of their power in terms of imagination, in terms of technology, in terms of concept. But I think, above all, I'm in awe at their power to motivate, to compel us, to transfix us, like really nothing else we've ever invented has quite done before.
Quote examples
Viktor E. Frankl
Austrian Psychologist
A thought transfixed me: for the first time in my life, I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth - that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire.
Quote examples
Ariel Garten
Canadian Artist
Much of the time, we're transfixed by all of the ways we can reflect ourselves into the world. And we can barely find the time to reflect deeply back in on our own selves.
Quote examples
Sarah Hall
English Writer
Nightmares of a capital city overwhelmed by tsunami, war or plague transfix us, but catastrophe is first felt locally, and there are many homes outside the city.
Quote examples
Robert Greene
English Playwright
The things that transfixed you as a child, that you found most exciting was not a passing fancy, but a message about what you're supposed to do.
Quote examples
Stephen Hendry
Scottish Entertainer
When I was 13, my parents bought me a mini snooker set for my birthday. From the moment I first held a cue in my hands, I was transfixed.
Quote examples
Peter Benchley
American Author
We do not just fear our predators, we are transfixed by them. We are prone to weave stories and fables and chat endlessly about them.
Quote examples
Isabel Yosito
American Artist
What is this powerful have over my tub? Surely, I am transfixed by your firecracker charm and your suspended electrified wit.
Quote examples
Amber Heard
American Actress
I can sit in front of the TV and watch an old romantic film and be transfixed.
Quote examples
Raymond E. Feist
American Author
As a kid, I sat transfixed watching Ray Harryhausen's '7th Voyage of Sinbad.
Quote examples
Tom Chatfield
British Author
I love video games. I'm also slightly in awe of them. I'm in awe of their power in terms of imagination, in terms of technology, in terms of concept. But I think, above all, I'm in awe at their power to motivate, to compel us, to transfix us, like really nothing else we've ever invented has quite done before.
Quote examples
Viktor E. Frankl
Austrian Psychologist
A thought transfixed me: for the first time in my life, I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth - that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire.
Quote examples
Ariel Garten
Canadian Artist
Much of the time, we're transfixed by all of the ways we can reflect ourselves into the world. And we can barely find the time to reflect deeply back in on our own selves.
Quote examples
Sarah Hall
English Writer
Nightmares of a capital city overwhelmed by tsunami, war or plague transfix us, but catastrophe is first felt locally, and there are many homes outside the city.
Quote examples
Robert Greene
English Playwright
The things that transfixed you as a child, that you found most exciting was not a passing fancy, but a message about what you're supposed to do.
Quote examples
Stephen Hendry
Scottish Entertainer
When I was 13, my parents bought me a mini snooker set for my birthday. From the moment I first held a cue in my hands, I was transfixed.
Quote examples
Peter Benchley
American Author
We do not just fear our predators, we are transfixed by them. We are prone to weave stories and fables and chat endlessly about them.
Quote examples
Isabel Yosito
American Artist
What is this powerful have over my tub? Surely, I am transfixed by your firecracker charm and your suspended electrified wit.
Quote examples
Amber Heard
American Actress
I can sit in front of the TV and watch an old romantic film and be transfixed.
Quote examples
Raymond E. Feist
American Author
As a kid, I sat transfixed watching Ray Harryhausen's '7th Voyage of Sinbad.
Example 1 of 10
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