fascinate

[fas-uh-neyt]

verb (used with object)

fascinated, fascinating 

1. to attract and hold attentively by a unique power, personal charm, unusual nature, or some other special quality; enthrall.

   His natural vivacity fascinates and dominates his audience, leading them wherever he will.

   Synonyms: delight, charm, spellbind, enchant, bewitch

2. to arouse the interest or curiosity of.

   As I learned about ancient Egyptian religion, I found elements that fascinated me.

3. to transfix or deprive of the power of resistance, as through terror.

   The sight of the snake fascinated the rabbit.

4. Obsolete.,  to bewitch.

5. Obsolete.,  to cast under a spell by a look.

verb (used without object)

fascinated, fascinating 

1. to capture the interest or hold the attention.

fascinate

/ ˈfæsɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to attract and delight by arousing interest or curiosity

   his stories fascinated me for hours

2. to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe

3. archaic,  to put under a spell

Usage

A person can be fascinated by or with another person or thing. It is correct to speak of someone's fascination with a person or thing; one can also say a person or thing has a fascination for someone

Other Word Forms

• fascination noun
• fascinative adjective
• fascinatedly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fascinate¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin fascinātus, past participle of fascināre “to bewitch, cast a spell on,” verbal derivative of fascinum “evil spell, bewitchment”

Word History and Origins

Origin of fascinate¹

C16: from Latin fascināre , from fascinum a bewitching

Example Sentences

Gen Z fans are “fascinated by the idea of being an uncompromising rock band and conquering the world. That’s so far out of anyone’s conception of what’s possible today,” Kirk said.

From Los Angeles Times

The main characters’ bond over loss coils around a secret that burdens Dennis, a gay man fascinated with twinship, the more time they spend together.

From Los Angeles Times

Bowie was particularly fascinated by crime and punishment.

From BBC

Cathy Tyers, the team's dendrochronologist, said: "I hope that this research adds further to its fascinating story and contributes to its remarkable legacy."

From BBC

"Frequently packed with fascinating detail, Lowry's distinctive images of industrial scenes and people have timeless appeal."

From BBC

Related Words

• animate 
• attract 
• beguile 
• bewitch 
• charm 
• delight 
• enamor 
• enchant 
• engage 
• engross 
• enrapture 
• enthrall 
• entice 
• excite 
• infatuate 
• intoxicate 
• intrigue 
• mesmerize 
• overwhelm 
• please