intrigue
in·trigue • v. / inˈtrēg/ (-trigues, -trigued, -tri·guing) 1. [tr.] arouse the curiosity or interest of; fascinate: I was intrigued by your question | [as adj.] (intriguing) the food is an intriguing combination of German and French. 2. [intr.] make secret plans to do something illicit or detrimental to someone: the delegates were intriguing for their own gains.• n. / ˈinˌtrēg/ 1. the secret planning of something illicit or detrimental to someone: the cabinet was a nest of intrigue | the intrigues of local government officials. ∎ a secret love affair.2. a mysterious or fascinating quality: within the region's borders is a wealth of interest and intrigue.DERIVATIVES: in·tri·guer n.in·tri·guing·ly adv.: the album is intriguingly titled “The Revenge of the Goldfish.”