Intrigue

Return to > Dictionary

1. Definition + Rich Everyday Explanation

Intrigue (noun / verb) ( inˈtriː ɡ ) = secret plans or schemes, often dishonest or exciting; a mysterious or fascinating quality that arouses curiosity; OR to fascinate deeply and arouse strong curiosity; to plot secretly.

This word captures that magnetic pull when something mysterious makes you desperate to know more. It mixes excitement, curiosity, and sometimes a hint of danger or secrecy.

MEANING 1: Secret Plotting / Schemes (Noun)

As a noun, intrigue refers to hidden plans, often manipulative or underhanded. Political intrigue involves backroom deals and betrayals. Office intrigue might mean gossip and alliances to gain power. It feels shady and exciting at the same time — like a spy novel come to life.

MEANING 2: Mysterious Fascination (Noun / Verb)

More commonly today, intrigue describes the captivating mystery that draws you in. A person who intrigues you has an enigmatic quality — you can’t quite figure them out, and that makes them irresistible. A story that intrigues keeps you turning pages because of its puzzles and secrets.

As a verb, to intrigue someone means to spark intense curiosity. “His quiet confidence intrigues me” means it makes me want to learn more about him. This usage is positive or neutral — it signals deep interest without negativity.

Examples from the street:

• “The whole office is full of intrigue” → secret alliances and gossip behind closed doors
• “She really intrigues me — there’s something mysterious about her” → her enigmatic vibe makes me curious and attracted
• “The court’s full of political intrigue” → hidden deals and power plays nobody talks about openly

2. Most Common Patterns

• intrigue + someone → arouse strong curiosity in a person
• be intrigued by + noun → feel fascinated and curious about something
• political/office/court intrigue → secret schemes in a specific environment
• full of intrigue → containing many secrets and hidden plans
• intrigue + against + person/group → plot secretly against someone (formal)
• an air/element of intrigue → a mysterious, fascinating quality

3. Phrasal Verbs

Note: There are no common phrasal verbs directly containing “intrigue” — these are related expressions:

• pique someone’s interest → suddenly arouse curiosity
  Example: “The unusual title piqued my interest in the book.”
• draw someone in → gradually attract and fascinate
  Example: “Her mysterious smile drew everyone in.”
• plot against → secretly plan to harm or undermine someone
  Example: “They plotted against the leader to take power.”

4. Example Sentences

1. His quiet smile always intrigues me — I want to know what he’s thinking
   → His subtle grin constantly sparks my curiosity — I’m eager to understand his thoughts.
2. I was intrigued by her unusual accent and asked where she was from
   → Her distinctive speech pattern fascinated me, so I inquired about her origins.
3. The palace was famous for its political intrigue and betrayals
   → The royal residence gained notoriety for hidden power struggles and disloyalties.
4. The novel is full of intrigue, with twists on every page
   → The book contains numerous secrets and unexpected turns throughout.
5. Some ministers were intriguing against the prime minister
   → Certain officials secretly plotted to undermine the leader.
6. The old mansion had an air of intrigue that made visitors curious
   → The historic house possessed a mysterious atmosphere that aroused visitors’ interest.
7. She intrigued everyone at the party with her enigmatic stories
   → Her puzzling tales fascinated all the guests at the gathering.
8. Corporate intrigue often determines who gets promoted
   → Hidden office politics frequently decide advancement opportunities.
9. I’m intrigued by how quickly the rumor spread
   → The rapid circulation of the gossip deeply fascinates me.
10. The film’s complex plot intrigued audiences worldwide
    → The movie’s complicated storyline captivated viewers globally.

5. Personal Examples

1. In classrooms, a good mystery story always intrigues students and motivates them to read more
   → A well-crafted puzzle tale consistently fascinates learners and encourages greater reading engagement.
2. Advanced idioms often intrigue my English learners — they want to know the hidden stories behind expressions like “kick the bucket”
   → Complex phrases frequently spark curiosity in my language students — they’re eager to discover the origins of sayings such as dying unexpectedly.

6. Register: Neutral to Formal

✔ Native usage tips

• “Intrigue” as fascination is very common in dating/attraction contexts — “He/She intrigues me” signals strong romantic curiosity
• “Be intrigued by” is the most natural passive form — natives prefer this over “intrigue me” in many cases
• Political intrigue and court intrigue are fixed phrases in historical discussions
• Intrigue (plotting) sounds sophisticated — everyday speakers might say “scheming” or “backstabbing” instead
• “Full of intrigue” often describes books, films, or places with mystery and complexity

✔ Similar expressions / words

• Fascinate → similar to intrigue as captivate, but less mysterious
• Pique curiosity → suddenly spark interest, shorter and more casual
• Conspiracy → similar to intrigue as secret plotting, but implies illegal plans