noun
Uncommon
intrigue
IHNT-reeg
Intrigue (noun) means a secret plot or scheme, often involving deception. Example: “The palace was full of political intrigue and backstabbing.”
noun
1
A secret plot or scheme, often involving deception.
"The palace was full of political intrigue and backstabbing."
"Rumours of a corporate takeover fuelled weeks of intrigue."
verb
1
To arouse someone's curiosity or fascination.
"The strange ending of the film intrigued the whole audience."
How to use intrigue
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a secretive scheme (noun) or the act of fascinating someone (verb).
Common pairings
political intrigue
a web of intrigue
intrigued by
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Word forms
- Plural
- intrigues
- Third person singular
- intrigues
- Past tense
- intrigued
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The palace was full of political _____ and backstabbing.
Etymology
From French intrigue, ultimately from Latin intrīcō ("to entangle, perplex") — the same root that gives us "intricate."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for intrigue
See all rhymes for intrigue →Frequently asked questions
What does “intrigue” mean?
The word “intrigue” means a secret plot or scheme, often involving deception. In plain terms, either a secretive scheme (noun) or the act of fascinating someone (verb).
How do you pronounce “intrigue”?
“Intrigue” is pronounced IHNT-reeg (/ˈɪntɹiːɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “intrigue” in a sentence?
Here is “intrigue” used in a sentence: “The palace was full of political intrigue and backstabbing.”
What part of speech is “intrigue”?
Depending on how it is used, “intrigue” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “intrigue” come from?
The word “intrigue” comes from Latin. From French intrigue, ultimately from Latin intrīcō ("to entangle, perplex") — the same root that gives us "intricate.".
Is “intrigue” a common word?
“Intrigue” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “intrigue” have?
“Intrigue” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a secret plot or scheme, often involving deception.
