Captive

/ˈkæptɪv/ · noun

Meaning

One who has been captured or is otherwise confined..

Definitions by Sense

1. One who has been captured or is otherwise confined.
2. One held prisoner.
3. (figurative) One charmed or subdued by beauty, excellence, or affection; one who is captivated.
4. A captive insurance company, a subsidiary of a company used as its internal insurer.
5. Held prisoner; not free; confined.
6. Subdued by love; charmed; captivated.
7. Of or relating to bondage or confinement; serving to confine.
8. (transitive, archaic) To capture; to take captive.

Example Sentences

I envy not in any moods ⁠The captive void of noble rage, ⁠The linnet born within the cage, That never knew the summer woods: […]

When Timothy and Julia hurried up the staircase to the bedroom floor, where a considerable commotion was taking place, Tim took Barry Leach with him. He had him gripped firmly by the arm, since he felt it was not safe to let him loose, and he had no immediate idea what to do with him. The captive made no resistance[…].

A poor, miserable, captive thrall.

Even in so short a space, my woman's heart / Grossly grew captive to his honey words.

captive chains; captive hours

Synonyms for captive

Antonyms for captive

Related Words

Word Forms

• captives
• captiving
• captived

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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