# fascination

/ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/ (US) · /fˌæsɪnˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fascination
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. intense interest

noun · CEFR B2

the feeling of being extremely interested in something so that it holds all your attention.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'with'.

### 3. magic or bewitching

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

the act of using magic to control or charm someone.

For teachers: 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.

Teaching tip: This sense is rare in modern English; learners will mostly encounter it in 19th-century literature or fantasy settings.

## Examples

- His fascination with space began when he was a child.
- The scientist's lifelong fascination with deep-sea creatures led to several groundbreaking discoveries in marine biology.
- The public's enduring fascination with the private lives of historical figures often fuels a market for biographies that blend rigorous research with speculative narrative.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.