Fascination: meaning, definitions and examples

Fascination is used when you're deeply captivated or intrigued by something in a compelling or irresistible way.

• Her fascination with space made her want to become an astronaut.
• The child's fascination for dinosaurs was evident in his massive collection of dinosaur toys.

Attraction refers to a feeling of being drawn to someone or something, often in a pleasant or appealing way.

• She felt a strong attraction to the charming city of Paris.
• His attraction to her was evident in the way he looked at her.

Interest is a more general term indicating a desire to learn more about something or someone, without a strong emotional pull.

• He has a great interest in learning new languages.
• Her interest in cooking began when she was a child.

Obsession has a negative connotation and is used to describe an overpowering and often unhealthy preoccupation with someone or something.

• His obsession with cleanliness made him wash his hands incessantly.
• Her obsession with social media affected her daily life.

Enchantment is used to describe a magical or delightful charm that captivates someone, giving a sense of wonder or awe.

• The fairy tale had a certain enchantment that captured the children's imagination.
• The forest had an enchantment that made it feel otherworldly.

Fascination is used to describe a strong interest or attraction to something or someone that holds your attention intensely.

• Her fascination with ancient cultures led her to study archaeology
• The child watched the magician with utter fascination

Charm is used to describe the power or quality of delighting, attracting, or fascinating others. It often has a positive and friendly connotation.

• His charm made him very popular at social gatherings
• The little village was full of old-world charm

Allure is often used to describe something or someone that is very attractive or tempting, often carrying a seductive or mysterious quality.

• The allure of the city lights drew him in
• She could not resist the allure of the shiny, new gadget

Captivation refers to the action or state of being deeply attracted or completely absorbed by something.

• The movie's storyline held his captivation from start to finish
• Her performance on stage was so impressive it held the entire audience in captivation

Enchantment is often used to describe a magical or spellbinding effect that something or someone has, bringing about a sense of wonder and delight.

• The fairy tale created an atmosphere of pure enchantment for the children
• She felt as though she was under a spell of enchantment as she walked through the beautiful garden