allure

1 of 3

verb

al·​lure ə-ˈlu̇r 

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

ə-ˈlu̇r-mənt 

noun

allure

2 of 3

noun (1)

: power of attraction or fascination : charm

the allure of fame

rare books that hold a special allure for collectors

allurement

3 of 3

noun (2)

al·​lure·​ment ə-ˈlu̇r-mənt 

-ˈlər-

plural -s

1

: a means of alluring : something that attracts or entices

the social allurements of the city

she had discarded forever the allurements of youth

—Ellen Glasgow

2

: the act of alluring

3

: the power or quality of alluring : allure, fascination, charm

the fatal gift of allurement

—Idwal Jones

Synonyms of allure

Verb

• charm
• fascinate
• entice
• delight
• lure
• interest
• seduce
• intrigue

Noun (1)

• appeal
• attractiveness
• charm
• fascination
• attraction
• glamour
• seductiveness

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

TikTok is the number one platform where Gen Z are discovering trade careers, with 1 in 3 watching trade content there—and getting allured. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026

Intoxicating tuberose is enhanced by dark, peppery vanilla, suede, and alluring tonka bean. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 3 Feb. 2026

Noun

Whether a rustic hideaway or a pristine luxury home set against a dramatic landscape, remote living has an undeniable allure. —Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2026

That is, real, not merely illusory, measures, so that the allure to breach peace for imagined gains is overshadowed. —Keith Tidman, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

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 (1)

1534, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for allure

• abjure
• adjure
• assure
• brochure
• cocksure
• coiffure
• contour
• couture
• demure
• detour
• endure
• ensure

Kids Definition

allure

1 of 2 verb

al·​lure ə-ˈlu̇(ə)r 

allured; alluring

: to try to attract or influence by offering what seems to be a benefit or pleasure

allurement

-mənt 

noun

allure

2 of 2 noun

: power of attraction : charm