Intrigue

Pronunciation

• noun enPR: Ä­n'trÄ“g, IPA: /ˈɪntriːɡ/
• verb enPR: Ä­ntrÄ“g', IPA: /ɪnˈtriːɡ/

Alternative forms

• entrigue

Origin

Borrowing from fr intriguer, from Italian intricare, from Latin intrīcō ("I entangle, perplex, embarrass").

Full definition of intrigue

Noun

1. A complicated or clandestine plot or scheme intended to effect some purpose by secret artifice; conspiracy; stratagem.
2. The plot of a play, poem or romance; the series of complications in which a writer involves their imaginary characters.
3. Clandestine intercourse between persons; illicit intimacy; a liaison.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To conceive or carry out a secret plan intended to harm; to form a plot or scheme.
2. (transitive) To arouse the interest of; to fascinate.
• 2012-03, w, Pixels or Perish, Blackboard sketches, geological maps, diagrams of molecular structure, astronomical photographs, MRI images, the many varieties of statistical charts and graphs: These pictorial devices are indispensable tools for presenting evidence, for explaining a theory, for telling a story. And, on top of all that, they are ornaments; they entice and intrigue and sometimes delight.
3. (intransitive) To have clandestine or illicit intercourse.
4. (transitive) To fill with artifice and duplicity; to complicate.
• Dr. J. ScottHow doth it sin perplex and intrigue the whole course of your lives!

Related terms

• intricacy
• intricate
• intriguer
• intriguery
• intriguing
• intriguingly