fascinate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "fascinate" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it to describe something that is interesting or appealing in an unusual way. For example, "The court jester's antics fascinated the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Visitors can still find plenty to fascinate, most of all the slow rhythms of everyday life.

The Guardian - Travel

Ask Torontonians to name their favourite purchase from the Honest Ed's department store, and you rapidly compile a compendium of kitsch to fascinate any anthropologist from the future.

The Guardian

Stories about North Korea fascinate the Reddit community; the Reddit world news page is a great source of North Korea stories, and there are all manor of subreddits to explore.

The Guardian

But as I continue to explore and photograph cities such as Istanbul, Venice and London, dawn still continues to fascinate me, as the most interesting and exciting time to photograph.

The Guardian

It's more than playground kicks that fascinate Höller, though.

The Guardian - Arts

She continues to fascinate, 200 years after the publication of "Pride and Prejudice".

The Economist

Mao-inspired pieces by Yu, Shi Xinning and Li Shan have all sold for record prices this year, one for six times the pre-sale estimate.Warhol seemed to have a gift for identifying what would fascinate in the future, but even he could not have foretold the rise and rise of China.

The Economist

THE death of Alexander Litvinenko continues to fascinate Britain as it would fascinate America if America would not so busy with other things.

The Economist

So although they fascinate people, they have not yet made much of a mark on the world.In this section Rise of the robots On the march Dereliction of duty All for one Boring can still be bad ReprintsThat seems about to change.

The Economist

In ways that were never true of post-war Japan and may never be true of India, China will both fascinate and agitate the rest of the world for a long time to come.Only 20 years ago, China was a long way from being a global superpower.

The Economist

A southerner in the north, a middle-class suburbanite among the posh, either way makes little difference: loud-mouthed, ill-mannered and tending to scrofulousness, both sets of people fascinate him.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fascinate" when you want to emphasize a strong sense of attraction or interest, often due to something unusual or captivating. For instance, instead of saying something "interests" you, saying it "fascinates" you suggests a deeper level of engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "fascinate" in contexts where a more neutral term like "interest" or "engage" would be more appropriate. "Fascinate" implies a stronger level of captivation than is always intended.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fascinate" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of something evoking intense interest or attraction in someone. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing how various subjects can "fascinate" different audiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "fascinate" is a versatile verb used to describe something that evokes strong interest or attraction. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it's very commonly used, as evidenced by the numerous examples provided. While "fascinate" isn't strictly formal, it implies a deeper level of engagement than a more neutral term like "interest". When writing, be mindful of the nuance it conveys, and consider alternatives like "captivate", "intrigue", or "enchant" if a less intense meaning is intended. Be sure to not overuse ""fascinate"" in contexts where it might sound overly enthusiastic or dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

captivate

Implies holding the attention or interest of someone, often through charm or skill.

enchant

Suggests a magical or delightful quality that attracts and pleases.

intrigue

Indicates a sense of mystery or curiosity that draws someone in.

enthrall

Implies being completely captivated or spellbound, often by something beautiful or impressive.

mesmerize

Suggests a hypnotic or trancelike state of captivation.

grip

Conveys a strong hold on someone's attention or interest.

absorb

Implies taking up someone's full attention or energy.

engage

Suggests involving someone's interest or participation.

draw

Implies attracting or pulling someone towards something.

interest

A general term for evoking curiosity or attention.

FAQs

How do you use "fascinate" in a sentence?

You can use "fascinate" to describe something that evokes intense interest or attraction in someone, such as, "The magician's tricks "fascinate" the children".

What can I say instead of "fascinate"?

You can use alternatives like "captivate", "intrigue", or "enchant" depending on the context.

What does it mean when something "fascinates" you?

When something "fascinates" you, it means it evokes an intense interest or attraction, often holding your attention in a way that is captivating and intriguing.

Is "fascinate" a formal or informal word?

"Fascinate" is neither strictly formal nor informal; it can be used in various contexts, but it generally implies a stronger degree of interest than a more neutral term like "interest".