intrigue
[ verb in-treeg; noun in-treeg, in-treeg ]
/ verb ɪnˈtrig; noun ɪnˈtrig, ˈɪn trig /
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verb (used with object), in·trigued, in·tri·guing.
verb (used without object), in·trigued, in·tri·guing.
to plot craftily or underhandedly.
to carry on a secret or illicit love affair.
noun
OTHER WORDS FOR intrigue
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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Origin of intrigue
First recorded in 1640–50; from French intriguer, from Italian intrigare, from Latin intrīcāre “to entangle”; see intricate
synonym study for intrigue
10. See conspiracy.
OTHER WORDS FROM intrigue
in·tri·guer, nounin·tri·guing·ly, adverbout·in·trigue, verb (used with object), out·in·trigued, out·in·tri·guing.un·in·tri·guing, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use intrigue in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for intrigue
intrigue
verb (ɪnˈtriːɡ) -trigues, -triguing or -trigued
(tr) to make interested or curiousI'm intrigued by this case, Watson
(intr) to make secret plots or employ underhand methods; conspire
(intr often foll by with) to carry on a clandestine love affair
noun (ɪnˈtriːɡ, ˈɪntriːɡ)
the act or an instance of secret plotting, etc
a clandestine love affair
the quality of arousing interest or curiosity; beguilement
Derived forms of intrigue
intriguer, nounWord Origin for intrigue
C17: from French intriguer, from Italian intrigare, from Latin intrīcāre; see intricate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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