What does “intrigue” mean?
- 1
verbto make someone very interested and curious
The idea really intrigued me.
- 2
nounthe making of secret plans to harm someone or gain power
The novel is full of political intrigue.
Intrigue at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb & noun
- CEFR level
- C1 (advanced)
- Pronunciation
- /ɪnˈtriɡ/ · in-TREEG
How to use “intrigue” correctly
The noun is often stressed on the first syllable (IN-treeg). The adjective “intriguing” means interesting and a little mysterious.
Common phrases with “intrigue”
- political intrigue
- intrigued by
- an intriguing question
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- fascinate
- plotting
- scheming
Word family
- intriguing
- intrigued
“intrigue” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- attribute verbC1to say or believe that something is caused by or belongs to someone or something
- conjure verbC1to make a picture or memory appear in someone’s mind
- dwell verbC1to keep thinking or talking about something, especially something unpleasant, used with “on”
- grapple verbC1to try hard to deal with or understand a difficult problem
- acquiesce verbC2to accept or agree to something quietly, often without really wanting to
- arbitrary adjectiveC1based on chance or personal choice rather than on a reason or system
- ascertain verbC2to find out for certain whether something is true or what the facts are
- bent adjectiveC1determined to do something, used with “on”