attractive

adjective

at·​trac·​tive ə-ˈtrak-tiv 

1

a

: arousing interest or pleasure : charming

an attractive smile

b

: appealing

an attractive offer

2

: having or relating to the power to attract

attractive forces between molecules

attractively adverb

attractiveness noun

Synonyms of attractive

• beautiful
• handsome
• cute
• lovely
• gorgeous
• pretty
• charming
• good
• stunning
• elegant

Examples of attractive in a Sentence

An attractive woman greeted us at the door.

The camera has many attractive features at a very attractive price.

Recent Examples on the Web

Fernandes was one of the most attractive midfield prospects in the league heading into this summer, and now has the opportunity to hit new heights in a team that has spent lavishly. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

That could make the chips more attractive to lenders and unlock another major source of capital for the AI buildout. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

None of that tells me whether Ferrari shares are attractive at the price available today. — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Peacock ginger has attractive foliage and similar growth habits to hostas. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English attractif, attractive "drawing out foreign matter from the body, able to ingest nutriments," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French attractif, attratif, borrowed from Late Latin attractīvus "capable of attracting, drawing toward itself," from Latin attractus, past participle of attrahere "to draw with force, compel to come" + -īvus -ive — more at attract

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for attractive

• contractive
• extractive
• inactive
• proactive
• reactive
• refractive
• subtractive
• active
• tractive
• bioactive
• hyperactive
• interactive

Kids Definition

attractive

adjective

at·​trac·​tive ə-ˈtrak-tiv 

: having the power or quality of attracting

especially : charming, pleasing

attractively adverb

attractiveness noun