fascinate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To attract and hold someone's interest very strongly.

   The story of the ancient city fascinated everyone in the class.

2. 2
   verb

   To charm or attract someone in a way they cannot resist.

   Her confidence and wit fascinated everyone she met.

Borrowed from Latin fascinātus, perfect passive participle of fascinō (“to enchant, bewitch, fascinate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from fascinum (“a phallus-shaped amulet worn around the neck in Ancient Rome; witchcraft”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix), itself of obscure origin.

Topics