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

The series is both watchable and trying, given its many tonal shifts and an able, attractive cast, some of whom are assigned to play quite annoying people. —Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026

New York is not only still attractive to skilled workers, JLL suggested, but those stockpiles of professionals can similarly incentivize companies to stay. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026

Gene and Katie Hamilton Tribune Content Agency Designers tell us that an attractive way to showcase a collection is by grouping them together on a wall shelf to call attention to the display. —Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2026

The 15-year mortgage rate has dipped slightly compared to last week, which could make shorter-term loans more attractive for buyers with the budget to handle higher monthly payments. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Apr. 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