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

• alluring
• appealing
• bewitching
• captivating
• charismatic
• charming
• elfin
• enchanting
• engaging
• entrancing
• fascinating
• fetching
• glamorous
• glamourous
• luring
• magnetic
• seductive

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

Additionally, the passing by defencemen from deep in the zone is more effective because there is often more than one attractive passing option. —Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 3 May 2025

Though plants are deciduous, attractive exfoliating bark adds interest and texture through the winter months. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 May 2025

Exit strategists will typically work for six months to two years organizing the company’s books and records to present an attractive profit and loss (P&L) statement to potential buyers. —Ray Titus, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

The United States' service economy is attractive to global investment because of the dollar's reserve currency status, access to surplus capital and intellectual talent, and our business-friendly environment. —Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 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