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
SYNONYMS FOR fascinate
OTHER WORDS FROM fascinate
Words nearby fascinate
fascicule,
fasciculus,
fasciculus gracilis,
fasciectomy,
fasciitis,
fascinate,
fascinating,
fascination,
fascinator,
fascine,
fascio-
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, adjectiveWord 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