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

Jefferies upgrades Red Rock Resorts to buy from hold Jefferies said the casino company is too attractive to ignore. —Michael Bloom, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025

Following disappointing earnings results, the focus will be on building a future-fit portfolio with an attractive growth footprint. —Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025

Along with the bacteria that are forming in your garbage disposal from the particles, your drain is becoming attractive to these pesky flies. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025

This balance between conductivity, elasticity, and simple processing makes EPFL’s method particularly attractive for wearable applications. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025

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