What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
engross
Example
She was so engrossed in her book that she didn't hear the phone ringing. [engrossed: adjective]
Example
I can easily engross myself in a good puzzle game for hours. [engross: verb]
fascinate
Example
The history of ancient Egypt has always fascinated me. [fascinated: verb]
Example
The way he spoke about his travels was fascinating. [fascinating: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fascinate is more commonly used than engross in everyday language. Fascinate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while engross is less common and refers to a deeper level of absorption in a particular activity or task.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between engross and fascinate?
Both engross and fascinate can be used in formal and informal contexts, but engross may be perceived as slightly more formal due to its less common usage.
