fascinate

verb

fas·​ci·​nate ˈfa-sə-ˌnāt 

fascinated; fascinating ˈfa-sə-ˌnā-tiŋ 

ˈfas-ˌnā-tiŋ

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

There are many reasons why people are fascinated by Bonhoeffer. —John Blake, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025

But what truly fascinated him was the subtlety of its mode of action. —Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025

Yet the movies have always been fascinated by the Beatles, as with no other musicians. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2025

My Professional Trajectory I’ve always been fascinated by the butterfly effect—the idea that small, seemingly insignificant events can lead to profound, unexpected outcomes. —Nuno Fernandes, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for fascinate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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