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

He pulled at the sheet, fascinated, as more and more of it unrolled.

From Literature

“I’m not too good at brain stuff,” he mumbled, and went back to being fascinated with his shoe.

From Literature

Spiders rely on this material to build the structural framework of their webs and to suspend themselves, and scientists have long been fascinated by how nature produces such an exceptional fiber.

From Science Daily

Still, he was fascinated by the idea of being "trained."

From Literature

One in particular, with a brown body and white throat, fascinated me with its long, spidery toes that looked as though they should belong to a much bigger bird.

From Literature

Related Words

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