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Intriguing: meaning, definitions and examples

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intriguing

 

[ɪnˈtriːɡɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

mystery

Arousing curiosity or interest; fascinating.

Synonyms

captivating, engrossing, fascinating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
intriguing

Use 'intriguing' when something grabs your interest and makes you curious to know more. It often suggests a sense of mystery or complexity.

  • The plot of the movie was really intriguing and kept me guessing till the end.
  • She found the scientist's work on black holes intriguing.
fascinating

Use 'fascinating' to describe something that deeply attracts and holds your interest because it is very unusual or remarkable.

  • The documentary about deep-sea creatures was absolutely fascinating.
  • I find different cultures and their traditions fascinating.
captivating

Use 'captivating' to describe something that is so interesting or beautiful that it captures and holds your complete attention.

  • Her performance was so captivating that the audience couldn't take their eyes off her.
  • The book was captivating from the very first page.
engrossing

Use 'engrossing' when something absorbs all of your attention to the point where you might not notice anything else happening around you.

  • He found the video game so engrossing that he lost track of time.
  • The detective novel was very engrossing; I read it in one sitting.

Examples of usage

  • The movie had an intriguing plot that kept the audience guessing until the end.
  • The mysterious package on the doorstep was quite intriguing.
  • Her intriguing smile made him want to learn more about her.
Context #2 | Verb

plot

To make secret plans to do something illicit or detrimental.

Synonyms

conspiring, plotting, scheming.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
intriguing

Used to describe something that captures interest or curiosity in a positive way.

  • The new book by the author is truly intriguing
  • The movie's plot is very intriguing, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats
conspiring

Refers to secret planning with others to do something harmful or illegal, often having a negative connotation.

  • The criminals were conspiring to rob the bank
  • He was jailed for conspiring against the government
plotting

Involves making a secret plan to achieve a specific goal, often used when discussing treacherous or malicious intentions.

  • The novels always feature someone plotting against the king
  • They were plotting to overthrow the corrupt leader
scheming

Refers to planning or acting in a devious or manipulative way, typically having a negative connotation.

  • She was always scheming to get ahead in the company by undermining her colleagues
  • The villain in the story is constantly scheming to defeat the hero

Examples of usage

  • The villains were intriguing against the hero in the shadows.
  • She suspected her colleagues were intriguing behind her back.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'intricare', meaning to entangle or complicate, suggesting complexity.
  • In the 16th century, it began to be used in English to describe the act of plotting or scheming, adding a sense of mystery.

Psychology

  • Intriguing things can stimulate curiosity, activating the brain's reward system, making it pleasant to seek out new knowledge.
  • Humans are naturally wired to find novel or unusual information more appealing, which keeps our minds engaged.

Literature

  • Authors often create intriguing characters or plots to keep readers hooked, using suspense and unanswered questions.
  • Novels with unexpected twists or unique settings are often described as intriguing, inspiring discussions among readers.

Pop Culture

  • Mystery genres in movies and books thrive on intrigue, often keeping audiences guessing until the last moment.
  • Reality TV shows often use intriguing situations to draw viewers in, creating cliffhangers that encourage binge-watching.

Science

  • In nature, complex patterns or structures often have intriguing functions that scientists study to understand the world.
  • The concept of 'intrigue' in ecology refers to how organisms adapt to complex environments, making their behaviors fascinating to study.

Translations

Translations of the word "intriguing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 intrigante

🇮🇳 रोमांचक

🇩🇪 faszinierend

🇮🇩 menarik

🇺🇦 захопливий

🇵🇱 intrygujący

🇯🇵 興味深い (きょうみぶかい)

🇫🇷 intrigant

🇪🇸 intrigante

🇹🇷 ilginç

🇰🇷 흥미로운

🇸🇦 مثير للاهتمام

🇨🇿 zajímavý

🇸🇰 zaujímavý

🇨🇳 引人入胜的 (yǐn rén rù shèng de)

🇸🇮 zanimiv

🇮🇸 áhugavert

🇰🇿 қызықты

🇬🇪 ინტრიგული

🇦🇿 maraqlı

🇲🇽 intrigante

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,001, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.