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

• fascinative adjective
• fascination noun
• 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

She collected some of the most fascinating information on the latter by watching Flo, an older female with a bulbous nose and an amazing retinue of suitors who was bearing children well into her 40s.

From Los Angeles Times

For a history buff, the region is fascinating - Burgess says just travelling around there are "monuments that you constantly drive past which remind you of the First and Second World Wars".

From BBC

She’s morbidly fascinated by racial and class segregation among cemeteries.

From Los Angeles Times

“He fascinated me somehow and I began speaking with him,” says Herzog.

From Los Angeles Times

Donald is famous for his attention to detail and provided fascinating insight into how he leaves no stone unturned.

From BBC

Related Words

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