fascinate

[ fas-uh-neyt ]
/ ˈfæs əˌneɪt /

verb (used with object), fas·ci·nat·ed, fas·ci·nat·ing.

to attract and hold attentively by a unique power, personal charm, unusual nature, or some other special quality; enthrall: a vivacity that fascinated the audience.
to arouse the interest or curiosity of; allure.
to transfix or deprive of the power of resistance, as through terror: The sight of the snake fascinated the rabbit.
Obsolete. to bewitch.
Obsolete. to cast under a spell by a look.

verb (used without object), fas·ci·nat·ed, fas·ci·nat·ing.

to capture the interest or hold the attention.

Origin of fascinate

1590–1600; < Latin fascinātus, past participle of fascināre to bewitch, cast a spell on, verbal derivative of fascinum evil spell, bewitchment

OTHER WORDS FROM fascinate

Example sentences from the Web for fascinate

British Dictionary definitions for fascinate

fascinate
/ (ˈfæsɪˌneɪt) /

verb (mainly tr)

to attract and delight by arousing interest or curiosity his stories fascinated me for hours
to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe
archaic to put under a spell

Derived forms of fascinate

fascinatedly, adverb fascination, noun fascinative, adjective

Word Origin for fascinate

C16: from Latin fascināre, from fascinum a bewitching

usage for fascinate

A person can be fascinated by or with another person or thing. It is correct to speak of someone's fascination with a person or thing; one can also say a person or thing has a fascination for someone