allure

1 of 2

verb

al·​lure ə-ˈlu̇r How to pronounce allure (audio)
allured; alluring

transitive verb

: to entice by charm or attraction
… I had been fool enough to allow myself to be so quickly allured by her charms …Anthony Trollope
allurement noun

allure

2 of 2

noun

: power of attraction or fascination : charm
the allure of fame
rare books that hold a special allure for collectors
Choose the Right Synonym for allure

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

Examples of allure in a Sentence

Verb was so allured by his sister's college roommate that before long he was asking her for a date allured by the promise of big bucks, he decided to have a go at a job on the trading floor of the stock market
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Disputes over retransmission fees have become increasingly common in recent years as satellite and cable providers dig in their heels and subscribers balk at paying higher prices for television bundles, with millions choosing to cut the cord in favor of alluring new streaming services. Jon Passantino, CNN, 18 Sep. 2023 There’s one kind of gay villain, though, that seems especially alluring these days, including to gay men. Mark Harris, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2023 Enjoy a variety of delectable flavors, like energizing mint, zingy citrus, clean and natural, scrumptious strawberry, and even alluring cookies & cream. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2023 In between are alluring coastal villages, secluded beaches and an interior wine region. Mary Novakovich, CNN, 5 June 2023 Robinson's range for being selected likely opens at No. 8 with the Falcons, who could be allured by the dynamic all-purpose talent despite the return of 1,000-yard rusher Tyler Allgeier. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2023 But that treachery is made to seem alluring through miscreant characterizations that media folk can disavow. Armond White, National Review, 5 Apr. 2023 This silt absorbs purple and indigo wavelengths, and the water absorbs red, orange, and yellow, leaving the dazzling blue-green water that allures hikers, bikers, and lakeside strollers. Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2023 More: The New Cheval Blanc Paris Finally Opens Read Reviews Cheval Blanc Paris Loire Valley, France France's most popular summertime playground is obviously the Côte d'Azur, but the countryside is just as—if not more—alluring. Leena Kim, Town & Country, 2 Mar. 2023
Noun
Capri’s allure remains compelling, despite the hordes of visitors that swarm its streets in summertime. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 Your magnetic allure is turned up with the Scorpio moon. USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024 The immediacy of the acoustics, the intimate connection between the musicians and listeners, the warmth and visual allure of the interior — all were thrilling. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024 Discover the allure of Oakhaven by Blue Mountain Communities, a new neighborhood of only 29 single-story residences, situated on expansive homesites from 1 to 2 acres. Bang Advertising Staff and Correspondents, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 There’s an instinctive allure to want to bottle that magic and replicate it over and over. Jason Parham, WIRED, 19 Feb. 2024 Thanks to demanding workloads, rapid industry changes and the allure of opportunities at other firms or in a freelance capacity, certain agency roles are consistently challenging to fill and tend to see higher levels of turnover. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 The allure of island ownership The desire for total control, for undivided ownership, speaks to a deeper yearning for autonomy and freedom, traits deeply embedded in the American dream. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2024 The exhibition — a world first — examines the enduring appeal of the cute aesthetic amongst adults and asks deeper questions about its allure. Zara Khan, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'allure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English aluren, from Middle French alurer, from Old French, from a- (from Latin ad-) + lure, leure lure — more at lure

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1534, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of allure was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near allure

Cite this Entry

“Allure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allure. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

allure

1 of 2 verb
al·​lure ə-ˈlu̇(ə)r How to pronounce allure (audio)
allured; alluring
: to try to attract or influence by offering what seems to be a benefit or pleasure
allurement noun

allure

2 of 2 noun
: power of attraction : charm

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