intrigue

[in-treeg, in-treeg, in-treeg]

verb (used with object)

intrigued, intriguing 

1. to arouse the curiosity or interest of by unusual, new, or otherwise fascinating or compelling qualities; appeal strongly to; captivate.

   The plan intrigues me, but I wonder if it will work.

   Synonyms: enthrall, enchant, fascinate, attract, interest

2. to achieve or earn by appealing to another's curiosity, fancy, or interest.

   to intrigue one's way into another's notice.

3. to draw or capture.

   Her interest was intrigued by the strange symbol.

4. to accomplish or force by crafty plotting or underhand machinations.

5. Obsolete.,  to entangle.

6. Obsolete.,  to trick or cheat.

verb (used without object)

intrigued, intriguing 

1. to plot craftily or underhandedly.

   Synonyms: conspire, plot

2. to carry on a secret or illicit love affair.

noun

1. the use of underhand machinations or deceitful stratagems.

   Synonyms: manipulation

2. such a machination or stratagem or a series of them; a plot or crafty dealing.

   political intrigues.

   Synonyms: manipulation

3. a secret or illicit love affair.

4. the series of complications forming the plot of a play.

intrigue

verb

1. (tr) to make interested or curious

   I'm intrigued by this case, Watson

2. (intr) to make secret plots or employ underhand methods; conspire

3. to carry on a clandestine love affair

noun

1. the act or an instance of secret plotting, etc

2. a clandestine love affair

3. the quality of arousing interest or curiosity; beguilement

Other Word Forms

• intriguer noun
• intriguingly adverb
• outintrigue verb (used with object)
• unintriguing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intrigue¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from French intriguer, from Italian intrigare, from Latin intrīcāre “to entangle”; intricate

Word History and Origins

Origin of intrigue¹

C17: from French intriguer, from Italian intrigare, from Latin intrīcāre; see _intricate

Synonym Study

See conspiracy.

Example Sentences

So I was a bit skeptical, yet intrigued, when I saw TJ’s seasonal Mini Spicy Pumpkin Samosas.

From Salon

An intriguing denouement confirms that readers of icons from Charles Dickens to Anne Perry can do no better than spending time with Charles Lenox, his family and ever-widening circle of friends.

From Los Angeles Times

But he is also one of the game’s most intriguing and exciting up-and-coming talents, and will now get his first crack on a postseason stage.

From Los Angeles Times

They are "four very different artists offering an intriguing snapshot of contemporary art", the Times' art critic Nancy Durrant wrote, while the Telegraph's Alastair Sooke said they show "a bewildering medley of materials and approaches".

From BBC

The record’s extras are just as intriguing and inventive; take “Fantasy,” which Michael reworked with Nile Rodgers before his death into a taut, disco-inspired dance number.

From Salon

Related Words

• attract 
• captivate 
• charm 
• delight 
• enchant 
• entertain 
• excite 
• fascinate 
• pique 
• please 
• rivet 
• tickle 
• titillate