attraction

noun

at·​trac·​tion ə-ˈtrak-shən 

1

a

: the act, process, or power of attracting

b

: personal charm

2

: the action or power of drawing forth a response : an attractive quality

3

: a force acting mutually between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation

4

: something that attracts or is intended to attract people by appealing to their desires and tastes

coming attractions

Synonyms of attraction

• magnet

Choose the Right Synonym for attraction

attraction, affinity, sympathy mean the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together.

attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it.

felt an attraction to danger

affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn.

an affinity for mathematics

sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence.

two minds in sympathy

Examples of attraction in a Sentence

The waterfall continues to be the main attraction at the park.

The town's big attraction for movie lovers is the annual film festival.

She is the star attraction of the show.

There's a strong sexual attraction between them.

His attraction to her grew over the course of their time together.

A good relationship is based on more than just physical attraction.

I understand the attraction of skydiving, but I could never do it.

What are the attractions of owning your own business?

Recent Examples on the Web

Surrounded by attractions like Lassen Volcanic National Park and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, the Northern California city of Redding is a hub for outdoor adventures of all kinds. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2025

Many of the new ships will feature unique attractions like roller coasters, immersive dining, and the longest dry slide at sea. —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025

Jack Black is truly astonished by Elle Fanning's attraction to him. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025

Children 5 and under are free at the other Main Ticket attractions. —Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English attraccioun "(in medicine) drawing of diseased matter to the surface, extraction," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French atraction "(in medicine) drawing in of breath, suction," borrowed from Late Latin attractiōn-, attractiō "act of attracting or contracting" (Medieval Latin also "drawing towards, enticement, usurpation"), from Latin attrac-, variant stem of attrahere "to draw with force, compel to come" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at attract

First Known Use

circa 1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing attraction

• capillary attraction
• star attraction

Rhymes for attraction

• abstraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction
• olfaction

Kids Definition

attraction

noun

at·​trac·​tion ə-ˈtrak-shən 

1

: the act, process, or power of attracting

2

: something that attracts or pleases

3

: a force acting between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation

Medical Definition

attraction

noun

at·​trac·​tion ə-ˈtrak-shən 

: a force acting mutually between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation

attract

ə-ˈtrakt 

transitive verb