fascinating
Americanadjective
adjective
-
arousing great interest
-
enchanting or alluring
a fascinating woman
Other Word Forms
- fascinatingly adverb
- half-fascinating adjective
- half-fascinatingly adverb
- quasi-fascinating adjective
- quasi-fascinatingly adverb
- unfascinating adjective
Etymology
Origin of fascinating
First recorded in 1640–50; fascinat(e) + -ing 2
Explanation
Something fascinating really captures your interest: you can't take your eyes off it or can't wait to learn more about it. To a sports fan, a basketball game may be fascinating, including the smallest details, like who got the most assists and what kind of defense was played. Music fans find concerts fascinating. Many people think politics is fascinating — they can't get enough TV and magazine stories about the latest political events. Whatever you think is fascinating, it must really hold your attention: you always want to see and know more.
Vocabulary lists containing fascinating
12 More Interesting Ways to Say "interesting"
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Pay Attention! Synonyms for "Interesting"
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From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The next chapter in the fascinating story of England's catalyst player is waiting to be written.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026
“Anna’s become such a fascinating character via ‘The Devil Wears Prada’—the workaholic, controlling editor with iconic hair and sunglasses, who was wildly successful and, for many years, was very good at her job,” says Odell.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026
It is fascinating to me that Thomas, who genuinely feels belittled by every single thing that has ever happened to him, has somehow gotten smaller on the job.
From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026
Brett Arends had a ball sharing some fascinating information with soccer fans and people who like to bet on sporting events.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026
Like chimps, they have very distinct personalities and fascinating behavior.
From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
