fascinated

[fas-uh-ney-tid]

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.

verb

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fascinated¹

fascinate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Wollny was fascinated by the works from the outset because they contained several characteristics that were unique to Bach during that period.

Read more on Barron's

And yet he’s fascinated by the people who just tried to destroy him, drawn to them, eventually peering through their window at a life he wasn’t invited to join.

Read more on Salon

Both the president and many of his key advisers and followers remain fascinated, if not obsessed, with the continent from which nearly all white Americans derive their ancestry.

Read more on Salon

Bracingly, however, they are also post-despair, fascinated by what emerges “when the stories we tell ourselves have to stop.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Early exposure to mortality didn’t upset Harvey, it fascinated her.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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