Word
fascination
Phoneticsfas·ci·na·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
UK/fˌæsɪnˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01intense interest
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the feeling of being extremely interested in something so that it holds all your attention.
n. the state of being intensely attracted or intrigued by something. Uncountable in this abstract sense.
“His fascination with old cars started when he was a young boy.”
“Her lifelong fascination with marine biology eventually led her to conduct groundbreaking research on deep-sea coral reefs.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02magic or bewitching
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Archaic · Literary
n. the act of using magic to control or charm someone.
n. the act of bewitching or enchanting through supernatural means. This sense is largely restricted to historical or literary contexts.
“In the old story, the witch used her fascination to lead the travelers into the woods.”
“The ancient text describes the fascination of the serpent, suggesting a hypnotic power over its prey.”
Synonyms
Usage
Commonly followed by the preposition 'with' or 'for'.
Pitfall
She has a fascination about history.
She has a fascination with history.
The noun fascination typically collocates with 'with' rather than 'about' when describing the subject of interest.
Real-World Examples
“The cultural fascination with hypnosis, which a Life magazine headline in 1956 referred to as a 'hypnotizzy,' took hold in the mid-20th century, and many doctors began using it as an alternative to anesthetic drugs.” “Shakur's murder is a cold case that has gripped the public's fascination for 30 years.” “And they still hold a fascination for scientists keen to learn more about their unusual structure.” “The icons and fashions of the fin de siecle are objects of fascination for those who didn’t experience them the first time around.” Etymology
From Latin fascinare ("to bewitch"), possibly from Ancient Greek βασκαίνιεν (baskaínien, “to speak ill of; to curse”). Morphologically fascinate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
In Music
Cover shown under fair use for identification and commentary.
Fascination · 2006 · Power pop
- Artist:
- Alphabeat
- Album:
- Alphabeat
Danish pop group Alphabeat released this upbeat power pop track in 2006. The title refers to the intense interest and excitement felt at the beginning of a new romantic attraction. It reached the top ten in the UK, becoming one of the band's most famous hits.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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