attractive

adjective

at·​trac·​tive ə-ˈtrak-tiv How to pronounce attractive (audio)
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

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 These opportunities are attractive to people looking to quickly improve their job prospects or pivot to a new career without taking on the cost and time burdens required of two- and four-year college degrees—and interest is growing across geographies and demographics. Matt Gandal, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024 The bank said the company has attractive growth opportunities, such as through its partnerships with Walmart and Instacart. Pia Singh, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2024 Many in the West may be reluctant to face the truth: that the past year has only made nuclear weapons a more attractive tool for the Iranian regime’s own survival. Carol E. B. Choksy, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2024 Most properties are tidy commercial structures, many with attractive newer buildings. Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for attractive 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attractive.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of attractive was circa 1540

Dictionary Entries Near attractive

Cite this Entry

“Attractive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attractive. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

attractive

adjective
at·​trac·​tive ə-ˈtrak-tiv How to pronounce attractive (audio)
: having the power or quality of attracting
especially : charming, pleasing
attractively adverb
attractiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on attractive

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