B1adjective2K

Fascinating

UK /["/ˈfæsɪneɪtɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈfæsɪneɪtɪŋ/"]/

Definition

extremely interesting and attractive

In simple words: very interesting and exciting

Examples

  • The documentary on outer space was absolutely fascinating.
  • She found the history of ancient pyramids to be fascinating.
  • It's fascinating how different cultures celebrate the same holiday.
  • The way he explained the concept was truly fascinating.
  • I find it fascinating to learn about various languages and their origins.

Usage notes

Use 'fascinating' to describe something that captures attention or curiosity. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English, suitable for most contexts. However, it may sound overly dramatic in casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Fascinating sounds like 'fasten a tin'—imagine a tin being tightly secured, it's captivating!

Collocations

  • be
  • look
  • prove
  • deeply
  • especially
  • incredibly
  • to

Synonyms

  • captivating
  • intriguing
  • engaging
  • enthralling
  • spellbinding

Antonyms

  • boring
  • uninteresting
  • dull

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'fascinated' which describes the feeling of interest.
  • Using 'fascinating' for something mundane or unexciting.
  • Mixing it up with similar words like 'interesting' without considering intensity.