Fascinate

A child watches a spider spin its web in the corner of a window. The spider moves slowly, carefully, pulling silk from its body and weaving a perfect pattern. The child does not move. He does not blink. He just watches, completely absorbed, as the tiny creature builds its trap. He is not afraid or disgusted – he is simply drawn by curiosity. He has to see what happens next. What does the spider’s work do to the child? It fascinates him.

Fascinate means to attract very strongly through curiosity, strangeness, or unusual interest. Entrance, by contrast, means to fill with wonder and delight, as if under a spell, focusing on magical charm rather than curiosity. So, fascinate focuses on intense curiosity and the desire to understand something unusual. Entrance focuses on being held in a state of wonder and delight. In other words, a mysterious old letter may fascinate you; a beautiful fairy story may entrance you.