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
intransitive verb
: to be irresistibly attractive
the novel’s flamboyant cover fascinates
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for fascinate
students attracted by the school’s locale
allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.
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
Example Sentences
a question that fascinates both biologists and anthropologists
Her paintings never fail to fascinate.
Recent Examples on the Web
He’d always been fascinated by the story of Bruce Goff, a gay Tulsa architect who designed some of the city’s most beautiful buildings.
—
Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Mar. 2023
Andrés is fascinated with frying and fritters.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2023
For the last five years I’ve been fascinated with European design from the late ’60s and early ’70s, often in Italian castles.
—Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 24 Mar. 2023
In turn, we’re fascinated with the ways that people, especially famous people, hold onto their youth.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2023
He was fascinated by their constant social dramas, and quickly saw that shifting alliances and power struggles could be a matter of life and death.
—Nick Romeo, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2023
As an avid Housewives scholar and traveler, I have long been fascinated by the franchise’s cast trips.
—Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2023
They’re both fascinated by figures who could create an awakening in large groups of people — while using that talent possibly for evil.
—Susan Dominus Collier Schorr Jay Massacret, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2023
With several notable soldiers in his family tree, Singh is fascinated by Indian military history, before and after Independence.
—James Collard, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘fascinate.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of fascinate was
in 1591
Dictionary Entries Near fascinate
Cite this Entry
“Fascinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fascinate. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.
Share
More from Merriam-Webster on fascinate
Last Updated:
7 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences
Subscribe to America’s largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Merriam-Webster unabridged
- fascinate
- ˈfæsɪneɪt гл.
1) восхищать, приводить в восторг, очаровывать, пленять (at, with) fascinated at the spectacle of a rocket launching ≈ зачарованный/захваченный зрелищем взлетающей ракеты His eloquence fascinates and astonishes. ≈ Его красноречие завораживает и изумляет. Syn : charm
2. , enchant
2) гипнотизировать, зачаровывать взглядом (особ. о змеях)
очаровывать, приводить в восхищение, пленять — the idea of going on a sea-voyage *d him мысль о морском путешествии привела его в восторг увлекать, вызывать острый или глубокий интерес space exploration *s mankind человечество увлечено освоением космоса — to be *d by /with/ smth. увлекаться чем-л. зачаровывать;
оказывать гипнотическое влияние, гипнотизировать взглядом — a serpent *s its prey змея гипнотизирует свою жертву
fascinate зачаровывать взглядом ~ очаровывать, пленять
Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь.
2001.
Полезное
Смотреть что такое «fascinate» в других словарях:
-
Fascinate — Fas ci*nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fascinated}, p. pr. & vb. n.. {Fascinating}.] [L. fascinare; cf. Gr. ?????????? to slander, bewitch.] 1. To influence in an uncontrollable manner; to operate on by some powerful or irresistible charm; to bewitch; … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
-
fascinate — (v.) 1590s, bewitch, enchant, from M.Fr. fasciner (14c.), from L. fascinatus, pp. of fascinare bewitch, enchant, fascinate, from fascinus spell, witchcraft, of uncertain origin. Possibly from Gk. baskanos bewitcher, sorcerer, with form influenced … Etymology dictionary
-
fascinate — index immerse (engross), interest, occupy (engage) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
-
fascinate — charm, bewitch, enchant, captivate, allure, *attract Analogous words: influence, impress, *affect, sway, strike, touch: delight, rejoice, gladden, *please … New Dictionary of Synonyms
-
fascinate — [v] captivate, hold spellbound absorb, allure, animate, arouse, attach, attract, beguile, bewitch, charm, compel, delight, draw, enamor, enchant, engage, engross, enrapture, enslave, ensnare, enthrall, entice, entrance, excite, fire, gladden,… … New thesaurus
-
fascinate — ► VERB ▪ irresistibly attract the interest of. DERIVATIVES fascinating adjective fascinatingly adverb fascination noun. ORIGIN Latin fascinare bewitch , from fascinum spell, witchcraft … English terms dictionary
-
fascinate — [fas′ə nāt΄] vt. fascinated, fascinating [< L fascinatus, pp. of fascinare, to bewitch, charm < fascinum, a charm < ? or akin to Gr baskanos, sorcerer] 1. Obs. to put under a spell; bewitch 2. to attract or hold motionless, as by a fixed … English World dictionary
-
fascinate */ — UK [ˈfæsɪneɪt] / US [ˈfæsɪˌneɪt] verb [transitive] Word forms fascinate : present tense I/you/we/they fascinate he/she/it fascinates present participle fascinating past tense fascinated past participle fascinated to attract and interest you very… … English dictionary
-
fascinate — verb (fascinated; fascinating) Etymology: Latin fascinatus, past participle of fascinare, from fascinum evil spell Date: 1598 transitive verb 1. obsolete bewitch 2. a. to transfix and hold spellbound by an irresistible power … New Collegiate Dictionary
-
fascinate — [16] To fascinate somebody is literally to ‘bewitch’ them. The word comes from the past participle of the Latin verb fascināre, which was a derivative of fascinum ‘witchcraft’. The Roman phallic deity, incidentally, was named Fascinus, because an … The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins
-
fascinate — [16] To fascinate somebody is literally to ‘bewitch’ them. The word comes from the past participle of the Latin verb fascināre, which was a derivative of fascinum ‘witchcraft’. The Roman phallic deity, incidentally, was named Fascinus, because an … Word origins
Also found in: Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
fas·ci·nate
(făs′ə-nāt′)
v. fas·ci·nat·ed, fas·ci·nat·ing, fas·ci·nates
v.tr.
1. To capture and hold the interest and attention of. See Synonyms at charm.
2. Archaic To deprive of the ability to escape or move, usually by the power of a look. Used of serpents.
3. Obsolete To bewitch.
v.intr.
To capture and hold someone’s interest and attention.
[Latin fascināre, fascināt-, to cast a spell on, from fascinum, an evil spell, a phallic-shaped amulet.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
fascinate
(ˈfæsɪˌneɪt)
vb (mainly tr)
1. to attract and delight by arousing interest or curiosity: his stories fascinated me for hours.
2. to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe
3. archaic to put under a spell
[C16: from Latin fascināre, from fascinum a bewitching]
ˈfasciˌnatedly adv
ˌfasciˈnation n
ˈfascinative adj
Usage: 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
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
fas•ci•nate
(ˈfæs əˌneɪt)
v. -nat•ed, -nat•ing. v.t.
1. to attract and hold attentively or immovably by a unique power or some unusual or special quality; enthrall; spellbind; transfix.
2. to arouse the interest or curiosity of; allure: Ancient Egypt has always fascinated me.
3. Obs. to bewitch.
v.i.
4. to capture the interest or grip the attention.
[1590–1600; < Latin fascinātus, past participle of fascināre to bewitch, cast a spell on, v. derivative of fascinum evil spell, bewitchment]
fas′ci•nat`ed•ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
fascinate
, fascinator — Fascinate is derived from Latin fascinare, «to bewitch or enchant,» and a fascinator was a magician.
See also related terms for magician.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
fascinate
Past participle: fascinated
Gerund: fascinating
| Imperative |
|---|
| fascinate |
| fascinate |
| Present |
|---|
| I fascinate |
| you fascinate |
| he/she/it fascinates |
| we fascinate |
| you fascinate |
| they fascinate |
| Preterite |
|---|
| I fascinated |
| you fascinated |
| he/she/it fascinated |
| we fascinated |
| you fascinated |
| they fascinated |
| Present Continuous |
|---|
| I am fascinating |
| you are fascinating |
| he/she/it is fascinating |
| we are fascinating |
| you are fascinating |
| they are fascinating |
| Present Perfect |
|---|
| I have fascinated |
| you have fascinated |
| he/she/it has fascinated |
| we have fascinated |
| you have fascinated |
| they have fascinated |
| Past Continuous |
|---|
| I was fascinating |
| you were fascinating |
| he/she/it was fascinating |
| we were fascinating |
| you were fascinating |
| they were fascinating |
| Past Perfect |
|---|
| I had fascinated |
| you had fascinated |
| he/she/it had fascinated |
| we had fascinated |
| you had fascinated |
| they had fascinated |
| Future |
|---|
| I will fascinate |
| you will fascinate |
| he/she/it will fascinate |
| we will fascinate |
| you will fascinate |
| they will fascinate |
| Future Perfect |
|---|
| I will have fascinated |
| you will have fascinated |
| he/she/it will have fascinated |
| we will have fascinated |
| you will have fascinated |
| they will have fascinated |
| Future Continuous |
|---|
| I will be fascinating |
| you will be fascinating |
| he/she/it will be fascinating |
| we will be fascinating |
| you will be fascinating |
| they will be fascinating |
| Present Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I have been fascinating |
| you have been fascinating |
| he/she/it has been fascinating |
| we have been fascinating |
| you have been fascinating |
| they have been fascinating |
| Future Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I will have been fascinating |
| you will have been fascinating |
| he/she/it will have been fascinating |
| we will have been fascinating |
| you will have been fascinating |
| they will have been fascinating |
| Past Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I had been fascinating |
| you had been fascinating |
| he/she/it had been fascinating |
| we had been fascinating |
| you had been fascinating |
| they had been fascinating |
| Conditional |
|---|
| I would fascinate |
| you would fascinate |
| he/she/it would fascinate |
| we would fascinate |
| you would fascinate |
| they would fascinate |
| Past Conditional |
|---|
| I would have fascinated |
| you would have fascinated |
| he/she/it would have fascinated |
| we would have fascinated |
| you would have fascinated |
| they would have fascinated |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Verb | 1. |  fascinate — cause to be interested or curious
grab, seize — capture the attention or imagination of; «This story will grab you»; «The movie seized my imagination» matter to, interest — be of importance or consequence; «This matters to me!» |
| 2. |  fascinate — to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe; «The snake charmer fascinates the cobra»
interest — excite the curiosity of; engage the interest of |
|
| 3. |  fascinate — attract; cause to be enamored; «She captured all the men’s hearts»
bewitch, captivate, charm, enamor, enamour, entrance, trance, becharm, beguile, enchant, capture, catch hold — hold the attention of; «The soprano held the audience»; «This story held our interest»; «She can hold an audience spellbound» attract, appeal — be attractive to; «The idea of a vacation appeals to me»; «The beautiful garden attracted many people» work — gratify and charm, usually in order to influence; «the political candidate worked the crowds» |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
fascinate
verb entrance, delight, charm, absorb, intrigue, enchant, rivet, captivate, enthral, beguile, allure, bewitch, ravish, transfix, mesmerize, hypnotize, engross, enrapture, interest greatly, enamour, hold spellbound, spellbind, infatuate She fascinated him, on and off stage.
bore, disgust, irritate, alienate, sicken, jade, put you off, turn you off (informal), disenchant
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
fascinate
verb
1. To please greatly or irresistibly:
2. To compel, as the attention, interest, or imagination, of:
The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
يَسْحَر، يَفْتَن
fascinovatokouzlit
betagefascinere
hrífa, heilla
apburtvaldzināt
navduševati
büyülemekhayran bırakmak
fascinate
[ˈfæsɪneɪt] VT → fascinar
it fascinates me how/why → me maravilla cómo/por qué …
Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
fascinate
[ˈfæsɪneɪt] vt [+ person] → fasciner
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
fascinate
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
fascinate
(ˈfӕsineit) verb
to charm; to attract or interest very strongly. She was fascinated by the strange clothes and customs of the country people.
ˈfascinating adjective
very charming, attractive or interesting. a fascinating story.
ˌfasciˈnation noun
1. the act of fascinating or state of being fascinated. the look of fascination on the children’s faces.
2. the power of fascinating or something that has this. Old books have/hold a fascination for him.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
Other forms: fascinating; fascinated; fascinates
Anything that sparks your interest or makes you wonder has the ability to fascinate. If you catch someone’s interest, and then hold it, you fascinate them. Be careful.
The word fascinate actually comes from Latin and French words meaning «witchcraft,» and although these days fascinate is used under much tamer circumstances, there is some sense in the word that the person’s appeal is not quite normal: there might be a spell-like quality to his or her charms. Thus, the word is often used to describe a new love. On the other hand, you might find the study of exotic beetles fascinating. To each his own.
Definitions of fascinate
-
verb
attract; cause to be enamored
-
synonyms:
becharm, beguile, bewitch, captivate, capture, catch, charm, enamor, enamour, enchant, entrance, trance
-
verb
cause to be interested or curious
-
verb
render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe
“The snake charmer
fascinates the cobra”-
synonyms:
grip, spellbind, transfix
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘fascinate’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
Send us feedback
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Look up fascinate for the last time
Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the
words you need to know.
Sign up now (it’s free!)
Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.
Get started
очаровывать, зачаровывать, пленять, зачаровывать взглядом
глагол ↓
- очаровывать, приводить в восхищение, пленять
the idea of going on a sea-voyage fascinated him — мысль о морском путешествии привела его в восторг 
- увлекать, вызывать острый или глубокий интерес
space exploration fascinates mankind — человечество увлечено освоением космоса
to be fascinated by /with/ smth. — увлекаться чем-л.
- зачаровывать; оказывать гипнотическое влияние, гипнотизировать взглядом
a serpent fascinates its prey — змея гипнотизирует свою жертву
Мои примеры
Словосочетания
Примеры с переводом
Her paintings never fail to fascinate.
Её картины не перестают восхищать.
The idea of travelling through time fascinates me.
Идея путешествия во времени захватывает меня.
His eloquence fascinates and astonishes.
Его красноречие завораживает и изумляет.
People were standing fascinated at the spectacle of a rocket launching.
Люди стояли зачарованные видом взлетающей ракеты.
The snake charmer fascinates the cobra.
Заклинатель змей завораживает кобру.
Возможные однокоренные слова
fascinating — очаровательный, пленительный, обворожительный
fascination — очарование, обаяние, прелесть, обворожительность
fascinator — чародей
fascinated — очарованный, зачарованный