verb
B1
Intermediate
fascinate
FA-sih-nayt
Fascinate (verb) means to hold someone's intense interest or attraction. Example: “Ancient Egyptian history has always fascinated her.”
verb
1
To hold someone's intense interest or attraction.
"Ancient Egyptian history has always fascinated her."
"The way octopuses change colour fascinates scientists."
"The flickering TV fascinated the cat."
How to use fascinate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo grab and hold someone's attention because something is so interesting.
Common pairings
fascinate scientists
continue to fascinate
fascinated by
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- fascinates
- Past tense
- fascinated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Ancient Egyptian history has always _____ her.
Etymology
From Latin fascinare, "to bewitch or enchant," originally connected to the idea of casting a spell over someone.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for fascinate
See all rhymes for fascinate →Frequently asked questions
What does “fascinate” mean?
The word “fascinate” means to hold someone's intense interest or attraction. In plain terms, to grab and hold someone's attention because something is so interesting.
How do you pronounce “fascinate”?
“Fascinate” is pronounced FA-sih-nayt (/ˈfæsɪneɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “fascinate” in a sentence?
Here is “fascinate” used in a sentence: “Ancient Egyptian history has always fascinated her.”
What part of speech is “fascinate”?
“Fascinate” is a verb.
Where does the word “fascinate” come from?
The word “fascinate” comes from Latin. From Latin fascinare, "to bewitch or enchant," originally connected to the idea of casting a spell over someone.
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