Fascinating is spelled with eight letters, where the first syllable is stressed. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/. It starts with the voiceless alveolar fricative /f/ and is followed by the vowel sound /æ/. The third sound is the voiceless alveolar fricative /s/ and is followed by the syllabic consonant /ən/. The second-to-last syllable contains the diphthong /eɪ/, and the final syllable ends with the voiceless alveolar plosive /t/ and the vowel sound /ɪŋ/.
Fascinating is an adjective that describes something or someone as extremely interesting, captivating, or enchanting. It pertains to things or ideas that provoke a strong feeling of curiosity, engagement, or intrigue in others.
When applied to people or their characteristics, fascinating refers to an individual who possesses a captivating charm, intelligence, or uniqueness that compels others to be drawn towards them. These individuals have the ability to consistently pique the interest of others through their actions, stories, or ideas.
In the context of objects, events, or experiences, fascinating signifies something that holds attention, stimulates the imagination, or evokes a sense of wonder. It suggests a powerful allure that goes beyond the ordinary and creates an irresistible appeal for people.
This adjective can also be used to describe subjects or topics that may not be widely known or understood, but are nonetheless absorbing. Fascinating areas of study or conversation may include historical events, scientific discoveries, complex philosophies, or obscure cultures.
Overall, to describe something or someone as fascinating implies that they have an extraordinary quality which captivates and enthralls those who come into contact with them. It indicates a profound level of interest or curiosity and suggests a desire to explore, learn, and uncover the hidden depths of the subject or individual in question.
Charming; enchanting.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "fascinating" originated from the Latin word "fascinare", which means "to bewitch" or "to enchant". This Latin verb derived from the noun "fascinum", referring to a charm or spell. The concept of "fascinum" encompassed various magical or bewitching practices, often associated with the evil eye or supernatural influences. Over time, the meaning evolved, and by the 17th century, "fascinating" began to be used in English to describe something captivating, intriguing, or entrancing.