fascinate

verb

fas·​ci·​nate ˈfa-sə-ˌnāt 

fascinated; fascinating ˈfas-ˌnā-tiŋ 

ˈfa-sə-ˌnā-

transitive verb

1

a

: to command the interest of : allure

was fascinated by carnivals

The kids were fascinated with their new toy.

b

: to transfix (see transfix sense 1) and hold spellbound by an irresistible power

believed that the serpent could fascinate its prey

2

obsolete : bewitch

intransitive verb

: to be irresistibly attractive

the novel's flamboyant cover fascinates

Synonyms

• allure
• beguile
• bewitch
• captivate
• charm
• enchant
• kill
• magnetize
• wile
• witch [archaic]

Choose the Right Synonym for fascinate

attract, allure, charm, captivate, fascinate, enchant mean to draw another by exerting a powerful influence.

attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response

charmed by their hospitality

, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

her performances captivated audiences

fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

Examples of fascinate in a Sentence

a question that fascinates both biologists and anthropologists

Her paintings never fail to fascinate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Laura is a science news writer, covering a wide variety of subjects, but she is particularly fascinated by all things aquatic, paleontology, nanotechnology, and exploring how science influences daily life. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024

As a child, Asher was fascinated with astronauts and space rockets. —Leslie Camhi, Travel + Leisure, 30 Mar. 2024

Nevertheless, the idea of a muon collider continues to fascinate some physicists, especially younger researchers. —Byadrian Cho, science.org, 28 Mar. 2024

Like many 10-year-olds, Madeline Landecker is fascinated by insects. —Cathy Free, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024

History buffs probably won’t be the only ones fascinated as the movie slows down to show how Crockett constructs a lean-to shelter in the wilderness while recovering from his injuries, and later manages to coax a wild horse to become his replacement mount. —Joe Leydon, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024

The Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist has long been fascinated with bags and keeps a vast collection of them in her Zurich studio. —Kate Guadagnino, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024

The culture which fascinated me most, which seemed most attractive to me, was the Polynesian culture. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024

Why he’ll never be done traveling to Asia—or anywhere: I was fascinated with Cambodia, the food and history. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin fascinatus, past participle of fascinare, from fascinum evil spell

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Kids Definition

fascinate

verb

fas·​ci·​nate ˈfas-ᵊn-ˌāt 

fascinated; fascinating

1

: to grip the attention of especially so as to take away the power to move, act, or think for oneself

the belief that serpents can fascinate their prey

2

: to cause (someone) to be very interested in something or someone

fascination

ˌfas-ᵊn-ˈā-shən

noun

fascinator

ˈfas-ᵊn-ˌāt-ər

noun