fascinated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "fascinated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean "greatly interested or attractive in a way that holds one's attention". For example, "I was fascinated by the intricate details of the painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet even without the mapping of the arms, Ratmansky was fascinated by the richness of the choreography, the concentration of steps and the surprising inventiveness with which they were put together.

The Guardian

"We are fascinated by historical and contemporary methods of wallpaper making, and by the possibilities for paper to hold a mark, fold or puncture".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Like everyone else, I'm fascinated that Thomas Piketty's book Capital in the Twenty-First Century is having such an impact.

The Guardian

I was fascinated by how Sarah had come to it all.

The Guardian

She is fascinated by the intimacy and frailty of human relations, and tries not to categorise or define those experiences.

The Guardian - Film

Courbet looks like a character in one of Edgar Allan Poe's stories, his mind unravelling in a way the first modern artists were fascinated by.

The Guardian

Visitors might be dazzled by the beauty, staggered at the effort that goes into getting even a single pearl, or fascinated by the stories behind the pieces.

The Guardian - Arts

Byrne may sound flippant, but scientists have long been fascinated by the question of whether comedians have a common psychology.

The Guardian

❦ I have long been fascinated by the relations of language and landscape – by the power of strong style and single words to shape our senses of place.

The Guardian - Books

I was very conscious that the film I was making was giving Amanda a platform that would go unchallenged during the filming process, but as a producer and a viewer the project fascinated me.

The Guardian

It may seem odd to complain about a lack of interest in our molecular nature because people seem to be endlessly fascinated – if not obsessed – by DNA, one of the most famous biological molecules of all time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fascinated", consider the intensity of the feeling you want to express. Alternatives like "intrigued" or "interested" can be used for milder forms of captivation.

Common error

Avoid using "fascinated" excessively in academic or professional contexts, as it can sometimes sound too enthusiastic. Opt for more neutral terms like "interested", "intrigued", or "captivated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

Fascinated functions primarily as a verb in the past participle form, often used as an adjective to describe a state of being deeply interested or captivated by something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Arts

25%

Books

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fascinated" is a versatile term used to express strong interest or captivation. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, as seen in numerous examples from various sources. While very common in News & Media, Arts, and Books, it is essential to consider the context and register. For formal or scientific writing, more neutral terms like "interested" or "intrigued" might be more appropriate. Ultimately, "fascinated" effectively communicates a sense of wonder and deep engagement, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensely interested

Replaces "fascinated" with a more descriptive adjective phrase, emphasizing the depth of interest.

deeply intrigued

Uses "intrigued" to convey a sense of mystery and captivation, similar to being fascinated.

utterly captivated

Emphasizes the completeness of captivation, suggesting a strong and absorbing interest.

completely absorbed

Focuses on the state of being fully engrossed or engaged, akin to fascination.

highly engrossed

Similar to "completely absorbed" but uses "engrossed" to highlight the depth of engagement.

extremely enthralled

Uses "enthralled" to suggest a sense of being charmed or spellbound, similar to fascination.

remarkably interested

Adds emphasis to the level of interest, indicating a notable degree of fascination.

keenly interested

Implies a strong and eager interest, reflecting a state of fascination.

mesmerized by

Suggests a hypnotic or spellbinding effect, similar to being fascinated by something.

enthralled by

Similar to 'mesmerized by', suggesting a captivating and enchanting effect.

FAQs

How can I use "fascinated" in a sentence?

"Fascinated" describes a state of being extremely interested or charmed by something. Example: "I was "fascinated" by the historical artifacts in the museum."

What are some alternatives to "fascinated"?

You can use alternatives like "intrigued", "captivated", or "enthralled" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fascinated" in formal writing?

While "fascinated" is grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound overly enthusiastic in formal writing. Consider using "interested" or "intrigued" for a more neutral tone.

What's the difference between "fascinated" and "interested"?

"Fascinated" implies a deeper level of engagement and captivation than "interested". "Fascinated" suggests a sense of wonder and strong attraction, while "interested" simply means having a curiosity or concern about something.