To bewitch means to cast a magical spell over someone or something. In fairy tales and fantasy stories, a witch might bewitch a prince, turning him into a frog, or bewitch a castle so that everyone inside falls into a deep sleep for a hundred years.

But bewitch has a second meaning that's much more common today: to charm or fascinate someone so completely that they seem almost under a spell. When a musician bewitches an audience with a beautiful performance, the listeners sit in rapt silence, unable to look away. A magician might bewitch spectators with an incredible trick that seems impossible. You might feel bewitched by a stunning sunset or a story so gripping you forget everything else around you.

This second meaning captures that feeling of being so captivated by something that you lose track of time and place, as if you really were under a spell. When something or someone bewitches you, it holds your complete attention in a way that feels almost magical, even though no actual witchcraft is involved.