# intrigue

/ˈɪntɹiɡ/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. to fascinate

verb · CEFR B2

to make you very interested because something seems strange, mysterious, or unusual.

For teachers: to arouse the interest or curiosity of someone; to fascinate through mystery or novelty. Transitive, requiring a direct object.

- The mysterious map in the attic really intrigued the children.
- The researcher was intrigued by the anomalous data, as it suggested a variable that the original hypothesis had failed to account for.

### 2. secret planning

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

secret plans or clever tricks that people use to get what they want.

For teachers: clandestine plots or schemes intended to achieve a purpose through secret artifice or conspiracy.

- The palace was full of political intrigue as everyone tried to gain power.
- The novel is a masterful study of political intrigue, detailing the subtle maneuvers used by the ministers to undermine the king's authority.

### 3. a complex plot

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Literary

the complicated parts of a story or play that keep the audience interested.

For teachers: the series of complications or the intricate plot of a literary work, such as a play or romance.

- The play's intrigue was so complex that the audience stayed silent until the very end.
- Critics praised the playwright for the depth of the intrigue, noting how each character's secret motivations eventually collided in the final act.

## Examples

- The mystery of the old house filled him with intrigue.
- The political thriller is full of intrigue, with characters constantly making secret deals behind each other's backs.
- While the scientific community was initially skeptical, the sheer intrigue of the anomalous data led several independent labs to attempt a replication of the experiment.

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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.