Meaning & use
intrigued
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“intrigued” is a form of “intrigue”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectiveafter a verb
Feeling curious or fascinated because something seems unusual, mysterious, or interesting.
Grammar: Mainly used after be, seem, or feel and before by: was intrigued by the offer.
Patterns
- intrigued by something
- intrigued to see/hear/learn something
- look/sound intrigued
I was intrigued by the idea of living abroad for a year.
She seemed intrigued when I mentioned the old diary.
We are intrigued to see what the critics will say about the film.
verbtransitive
Past tense and past participle of intrigue: attracted someone's interest or curiosity.
Grammar: Takes an object: the strange box intrigued him.
Patterns
- something intrigued someone
The advertisement intrigued him enough to visit the shop.
What intrigued me most was the complete silence in the room.
The puzzle intrigued her for the whole evening.
Common combinations
- deeply intrigued
- Scientists are deeply intrigued by the unexpected data.
- intrigued by the idea
- He was intrigued by the idea of a four-day work week.
- remain intrigued
- Months later, she still remained intrigued by the mystery.
- intrigued to learn
- We were intrigued to learn that the house had once been a school.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fascinated
- Stronger than intrigued; suggests being completely absorbed.
- curious
- Milder and more general; intrigued implies a stronger pull to find out more.
- interested
- Everyday and weaker; intrigued adds a sense of mystery or novelty.
Opposites
Word family
- intrigue noun
- A secret plan, or a strong interest in something mysterious.
- intrigue verb
- To attract someone's curiosity, or to make secret plans.
- intriguing adjective
- That makes you curious; describing the thing, not the person.
Practice
Which preposition correctly completes the sentence? 'The children were intrigued ______ the locked door at the end of the hall.'
Choose one answer.
The adjective intrigued is followed by 'by' for the cause of the feeling. 'Interested in' may come to mind, but intrigued does not take 'of,' 'with,' or 'at.'
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “intrigued”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.