What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
interesting
Example
I find history to be very interesting. [interesting: adjective]
Example
The article was quite interesting and made me think. [interesting: adjective]
Example
It's interesting to see how different cultures celebrate holidays. [interesting: verb]
fascinating
Example
The documentary on space exploration was absolutely fascinating. [fascinating: adjective]
Example
I find the behavior of animals in the wild to be fascinating. [fascinating: adjective]
Example
The magician's performance was so fascinating that I couldn't look away. [fascinating: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Interesting is more commonly used than fascinating in everyday language. Interesting is a versatile word that can be used in many contexts, while fascinating is more specific and may not be as widely applicable.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between interesting and fascinating?
Both interesting and fascinating can be used in formal and informal contexts, but fascinating may be considered slightly more formal due to its intensity and specificity.