fascination
fascination — noun
1. the feeling you have when you are extremely interested in someone or something,
the feeling you have when you are extremely interested in someone or something, so that you want to keep watching, listening, or learning about them
Yan watched the street performer with fascination as the crowd gathered around him.
pattern: 'with fascination' — describes the feeling while watching
Romi stared at the old photograph in quiet fascination.
pattern: 'in fascination' — the state of being fascinated
The children followed the butterfly's path with obvious fascination.
Trang listened to her grandmother's story with growing fascination.
- captivation
less common; suggests being completely held by something
- rapt attention
more formal, focuses on the quality of sustained focus
- enchantment
more poetic; implies a magical or delightfully absorbing quality
- boredom
the opposite of being engaged or interested
- indifference
lack of any interest or feeling
文法句型
in/with fascination
watch/listen/stare in fascination
用法筆記
Uncountable only — you do not say 'a fascination' in this sense. Commonly used in the fixed phrases 'in fascination' and 'with fascination' to describe the manner of watching or listening.
常見錯誤
2. the special quality that someone or something has of being very interesting or a
the special quality that someone or something has of being very interesting or attractive, making people want to watch, learn about, or be near them
The old city of Kyoto holds a strange fascination for visitors from around the world.
collocation: 'holds a fascination for' — the quality that attracts
Part of the fascination of science is that it constantly raises new questions.
pattern: 'the fascination of [something]' — identifying what makes it interesting
There is a lasting fascination to the idea of life on other planets.
The museum's fossil collection has a special fascination that draws both young and old visitors.
- allure
suggests a tempting or desirable quality, often with mystery
- appeal
broader and more general; can describe almost any positive quality
- charm
more emotional and personal; often used for people or pleasant places
- attraction
more direct; can be physical or metaphorical
文法句型
the fascination of [noun]
hold/have a fascination for [someone]
a [adjective] fascination
用法筆記
Can be used with or without an article. Without an article ('fascination') it refers to the general quality; with 'a' + adjective ('a strange fascination') it highlights a particular type of attractive power. The object of the quality is typically introduced by 'for' (a fascination for visitors) or 'of' (the fascination of science).
常見錯誤
3. an extremely strong and often lasting interest in a particular subject, activity
an extremely strong and often lasting interest in a particular subject, activity, or person — for example, someone who collects old maps may have a lifelong fascination with cartography
Jack has had a lifelong fascination with how clocks and watches work.
pattern: 'a fascination with [something]' — enduring interest in a subject
Mizuki developed a fascination for traditional Japanese pottery while living in Kyoto.
pattern: 'a fascination for [something]' — developing interest
Rodrigo's fascination with astronomy began after he visited the local observatory.
Tamar shares her father's fascination for old maps and navigation tools.
- obsession
stronger and more negative; can suggest something unhealthy or uncontrollable
- preoccupation
suggests the interest fills one's thoughts; slightly more formal
- passion
more active and enthusiastic; implies enjoyment and engagement
- fixation
suggests an excessive, sometimes irrational attachment
- disinterest
lack of concern or attention
- apathy
absence of any feeling or interest
文法句型
a fascination with [something]
have/develop a fascination for [something]
[someone's] fascination with [something]
用法筆記
Countable — always used with 'a' or a possessive ('her fascination', 'the boy's fascination'). The preposition 'with' is more common in American English, while 'for' is also used in both British and American English. Unlike sense 1, this sense describes an enduring preoccupation rather than a moment of captivated attention.