Definition

1. Noun:

   • A secret or underhanded scheme; a plot: A complex, crafty, and often secret plan to achieve a goal, typically one that is sinister or involves deception.
   • A secret romantic or sexual relationship: A clandestine love affair.

2. Verb (transitive and intransitive):

   • To arouse curiosity or interest: To fascinate or captivate someone by being mysterious or puzzling.
   • To engage in secret scheming or plotting: To form or carry out intrigues.

Usage

• As a noun, "intrigue" refers to the plan or the affair itself.
• As a verb, it can be used with an object (to intrigue someone) or without (to intrigue against someone).

Examples

• Noun:

  • The novel is full of political intrigue. (The novel contains many secret political plots.)
  • Their intrigue was discovered by a jealous spouse. (Their secret affair was found out.)

• Verb:

  • The mysterious letter intrigued the detective. (The mysterious letter made the detective very curious.)
  • The nobles intrigued against the king. (The nobles secretly plotted to overthrow the king.)

Advanced Usage

• "Court intrigue": Secret plotting and scheming within a royal court or similar powerful group.

  • The history of the palace is a tale of endless court intrigue.

• "To be the subject of intrigue": To be the focus of secret plots or curiosity.

  • Her sudden disappearance became the subject of much intrigue.

Variants and Related Words

• Intriguer (n): A person who forms intrigues; a schemer.
• Intriguing (adj): Arousing curiosity or interest; fascinating.
  • She found his theory very intriguing.

Synonyms

• Noun (plot): Scheme, conspiracy, machination, stratagem.
• Noun (affair): Liaison, dalliance.
• Verb (fascinate): Fascinate, captivate, pique, interest.
• Verb (plot): Scheme, conspire, plot, maneuver.

Related Phrases and Phrasal Verbs

• "To intrigue with someone": To secretly plot together with someone.
  • He was accused of intriguing with foreign agents.

Related Idioms

• "A web of intrigue": A complex and interconnected series of secret plots.
  • The scandal revealed a vast web of intrigue within the corporation.

Noun

1. a clandestine love affair
2. a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends

Verb

1. form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner
2. cause to be interested or curious