intrigue

 

verb

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈtriːg/
(intrigues, intriguing, intrigued)
  • 1 [with object] arouse the curiosity or interest of; fascinate: I was intrigued by your question
  • 2 [no object] make secret plans to do something illicit or detrimental to someone: Henry and Louis intrigued with the local nobles

noun

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈtriːg, ˈɪn-/
[mass noun]
  • 1the secret planning of something illicit or detrimental: the cabinet was a nest of intrigue
  • [count noun] a secret love affair.
  • 2a mysterious or fascinating quality: within the region’s borders is a wealth of interest and intrigue

Derivatives

intriguer

noun

Origin:

early 17th century (in the sense 'deceive, cheat'): from French intrigue 'plot', intriguer 'to tangle, to plot', via Italian from Latin intricare (see intricate). intrigue (sense 1 of the verb), which was influenced by a later French sense ‘to puzzle, make curious’, arose in the late 19th century

Spelling help

Remember that intrigue ends with -gue.