Main Entry:

at·tract

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈtrakt\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin attractus, past participle of attrahere, from ad- + trahere to pull, draw

Date:

15th century

transitive verb: to cause to approach or adhere: as a: to pull to or draw toward oneself or itself <a magnet attracts iron> b: to draw by appeal to natural or excited interest, emotion, or aesthetic sense : entice <attract attention> intransitive verb: to exercise attraction

— at·trac·tor \-ˈtrak-tər\ noun

synonyms attract, allure, charm, captivate, fascinate, enchant mean to draw another by exerting a powerful influence. attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another <students attracted by the school's locale>. allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive <an alluring smile>. charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response <charmed by their hospitality>, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration <her performances captivated audiences>. fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist <a story that continues to fascinate children>. enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject <hopelessly enchanted by her beauty>.