Intrigue means to fascinate someone or spark their curiosity in a powerful way. When a mystery intrigues you, you can't stop thinking about it. You want to know more, to understand what's really happening. A scientist might be intrigued by an unexpected result in an experiment, leading her to investigate further. A detective feels intrigued by clues that don't quite add up.

The word suggests more than casual interest. Something intriguing pulls at your mind, making you lean in closer. You might find it intriguing that your normally talkative friend has been quiet all week, or that a book's opening chapter raises more questions than it answers. Unlike simple curiosity, intrigue has an edge of mystery or complexity.

Intrigue can also mean secret plotting or scheming, usually to gain power or advantage. In historical stories, you might read about court intrigue, where nobles scheme against each other for the king's favor. When people engage in intrigue, they're working behind the scenes, forming alliances and making plans others don't know about. Political intrigue involves secret deals and hidden motives. While this meaning can sound negative, it describes complex situations where people pursue their goals through strategy and secrecy rather than open confrontation.