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

His teams play intricate, attractive, fluid soccer with plenty of moving parts and flexibility based on what the opponent is showing. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026

Tracking the ratings of top Wall Street analysts can help shortlist attractive dividend stocks, as their recommendations are backed by in-depth research. — CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026

As companies pour billions of dollars into building out terrestrial data centers, and have faced backlash from community members and politicians in the process, building AI infrastructure in space seems increasingly attractive. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

The 24-hour in-villa dining is an attractive and easy option, too. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 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