fascinating

adjective

fas·​ci·​nat·​ing ˈfa-sə-ˌnā-tiŋ 

ˈfas-ˌnā-tiŋ

: extremely interesting or charming : captivating

a fascinating documentary

gave a fascinating account of the expedition

fascinatingly

ˈfa-sə-ˌnā-tiŋ-lē 

ˈfas-ˌnā-tiŋ-

adverb

Synonyms

• alluring
• appealing
• attractive
• bewitching
• captivating
• charismatic
• charming
• elfin
• enchanting
• engaging
• entrancing
• fetching
• glamorous
• glamourous
• luring
• magnetic
• seductive

Examples of fascinating in a Sentence

the fascinating cities and peoples of central Asia have been intriguing travelers at least since the time of Marco Polo

the fascinating—but dubious—legend that Pocahontas rescued John Smith from certain death

Recent Examples on the Web

How the selection committee sifts through that will be fascinating. —Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025

This year’s stunning images vying for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice award offer unusual and fascinating peeks at the natural world. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025

And what was especially fascinating was about five in the morning at the end of this training course overnight, a Delta team based at Fort Liberty in North Carolina came up to stage a hostage rescue exercise. —NPR, 10 Jan. 2025

Not so with Law’s liege, who knows how to be cruel in the most fascinating way. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see fascinate

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fascinating

adjective

fas·​ci·​nat·​ing

ˈfas-ə-ˌnāt-iŋ

: extremely interesting or charming

fascinatingly adverb