fascinate

[ fas-uh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, fas·ci·nat·ed, fas·ci·nat·ing.

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)

, fas·ci·nat·ed, fas·ci·nat·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• ˌfasciˈnation, noun
• ˈfascinative, adjective
• ˈfasciˌnatedly, adverb

Other Words From

• fas·ci·na·tive adjective

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

And the wrap dress continues to fascinate new generations of women.

From Los Angeles Times

But the very existence of the film, which is loosely based on a seemingly strait-laced community college instructor who moonlighted as a fake assassin for the Houston police, proves just how much they fascinate us.

From New York Times

“The gems that fascinate me are nothing so boring as diamonds,” says Dr Gradel from his attic study, lined with display cabinets of treasures.

From BBC

Nevertheless, the idea of a muon collider continues to fascinate some physicists, especially younger researchers.

From Science Magazine

The great African apes, which includes gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos are renowned for their intelligence and fascinate both scientists and laypeople because of their physical and genetic similarities with humans.

From Salon

Related Words

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