gripping
UK: ˈɡrɪpɪŋ | US: ˈɡrɪpɪŋ
adj. intensely interesting or exciting; holding one's attention firmly
adj. (of a physical action) firm and secure; difficult to loosen or escape from
The word "gripping" derives from the verb "grip," which originated from Old English grippan (to grasp or seize), likely influenced by Proto-Germanic gripjaną. The suffix "-ing" transforms the action into an adjective, describing something that "grips" attention or physically holds tightly. Over time, "gripping" evolved metaphorically to describe anything that captivates the mind as firmly as a hand grasps an object.
The novel’s plot was so gripping that I finished it in one night.
She gave a gripping performance that left the audience in awe.
The climber used a gripping technique to scale the icy wall.
The documentary provided a gripping account of the historical event.
His hands were gripping the steering wheel tightly during the storm.