Captive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈkap-tiv/ cap·tive

Meaning & Definition of Captive

Captive (adjective)

  1. taken and held as or as if a prisoner of war
  2. kept within bounds, confined
  3. of or relating to captive animals

Captive (noun)

  1. one who has been captured, one taken and held usually in confinement
  2. one captivated, dominated, or controlled

Captive (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. taken and held prisoner

    "the captive soldiers were treated humanely by the guards"

    similar: apprehended, arrested, captured, caught, confined, imprisoned, incarcerated, interned, jailed, behind bars
    related: bound, enslaved, indentured, ensnared, trapped, abducted, kidnapped, subdued, subjugated, occupied
    opposite: free
    near: unconfined, unrestrained, delivered, emancipated, enfranchised, freed, liberated, paroled, released

Captive (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one that has been taken and held in confinement

    "the captives in the concentration camp had devised a daring plan of escape"

    similar: capture, internee, prisoner
    related: coprisoner, convict, jailbird, arrestee, abductee, kidnappee
    opposite: captor
    near: custodian, guard, guardian, jailer, keeper, marshal, warden, abductor, kidnapper

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Captive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Captive:

apprehended, arrested, captured, caught, confined, imprisoned, incarcerated, interned, jailed, behind bars, capture, internee, prisoner

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Captive

Words with the opposite meaning of Captive:

free, captor

Related Words for Captive

bound, enslaved, indentured, ensnared, trapped, abducted, kidnapped, subdued, subjugated, occupied, coprisoner, convict, jailbird, arrestee, abductee, kidnappee

Near Antonyms of Captive

unconfined, unrestrained, delivered, emancipated, enfranchised, freed, liberated, paroled, released, custodian, guard, guardian, jailer, keeper, marshal, warden, abductor, kidnapper

Word Forms of Captive

Inflections: captives

Origin & Etymology of Captive

Middle English, from Latin captivus, from captus, past participle of capere

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Captive

captive audience

Frequently Asked Questions about Captive

What does "Captive" mean?

"Captive" means taken and held as or as if a prisoner of war. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: taken and held as or as if a prisoner of war. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Captive"?

Other words for "Captive" include apprehended, arrested, captured, caught, confined, imprisoned, incarcerated and interned. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Captive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Captive"?

There are 29 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Captive". Common alternatives include apprehended, arrested, captured, caught, confined, imprisoned, incarcerated, interned, jailed and behind bars.

What is the opposite of "Captive"?

Antonyms of "Captive" include free and captor. Near antonyms include unconfined, unrestrained, delivered and emancipated.

How do you use "Captive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Captive" in a sentence: "the captive soldiers were treated humanely by the guards"; "the captives in the concentration camp had devised a daring plan of escape".

Is "Captive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Captive" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Captive"?

"Captive" is pronounced /ˈkap-tiv/ and divided into syllables as cap·tive.

What is the origin of the word "Captive"?

"Captive" comes from Middle English, from Latin captivus, from captus, past participle of capere. First known use: 14th century.