fascinated

American  

[fas-uh-ney-tid] / ˈfæs əˌneɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. having the attention attracted and held by a person or thing having unique power or charm, unusual character, etc.; enthralled or captivated.

   The nature trail guide opened one of the boxes to let the fascinated onlookers view two baby bluebirds inside.

2. strongly interested or intrigued by something.

   I'm speaking now not as a lawyer, just as a fascinated observer of mankind.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of fascinate.

Other Word Forms

• fascinatedly adverb
• half-fascinated adjective
• quasi-fascinated adjective
• unfascinated adjective

Etymology

Origin of fascinated

fascinate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

To my surprise, I was gripped from its outset, fascinated by the way Pakula and screenwriter William Goldman managed to make the mundane so fascinating.

From Salon

For those fascinated by samurai military feats, armor and weapons abound, especially in the first section, where superb examples trace various adaptations to changing modes of warfare and armor’s use as a diplomatic gift.

From The Wall Street Journal

And when they were over the fear of it, they were fascinated with it.

From Literature

He was fascinated not only by the science behind them, but by the profilers themselves, and the effects their proximity to evil had on their well-being.

From Los Angeles Times

I watched him for a few minutes, fascinated and terrified.

From Literature

Related Words

• absorbed
• aroused
• delighted
• enamored
• enchanted
• enthralled
• excited
• intoxicated
• mesmerized
• thrilled