Fascinating: Definition, Examples & Usage Tips

Meaning 1：extremely interesting (fascinating)

fascinating 🔊

/ˈfæsɪneɪtɪŋ/

adj.

so interesting that it captures your full attention and you don't want to look away.

Fascinating ancient jewelry display in museum captures viewer's attention

extremely interesting 🔊

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/ɪkˈstriːmli ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/

adj.

Describes something so captivating that it holds your complete attention and curiosity.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'fascinare' (to bewitch) via 'fascinat-' + '-ing'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a magician's spell 'Fascinate!' that makes you stare in wonder—that's fascinating!

📖 Example

The documentary about ancient Egypt was so fascinating that I watched all three hours without a break. 🔊 The documentary about ancient Egypt was so fascinating that I watched all three hours without a break.

🔗 Collocations

fascinating story – a story that deeply engages the listener

fascinating fact – a piece of information that surprises and interests

fascinating person – a person with an unusually compelling character or experiences

🔄 Synonyms

captivating (adj.) – holding your attention by being extremely interesting or charming

enthralling (adj.) – capturing and holding your complete interest

engrossing (adj.) – absorbing all your attention or time

🚫 Antonyms

boring (adj.) – not interesting; tedious

dull (adj.) – lacking interest or excitement

uninteresting (adj.) – not arousing curiosity or attention

🌱 Derivatives

fascinate (v.) – to attract and hold the attention of someone strongly

fascination (n.) – the state of being intensely interested or attracted

fascinatingly (adv.) – in a way that is extremely interesting or captivating

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'fascinum' (a spell or charm), used by ancient Romans to describe supernatural enchantment. Today it refers to anything irresistibly interesting.