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

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

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

Kids Definition

attractive

adjective

at·​trac·​tive ə-ˈtrak-tiv 

: having the power or quality of attracting

especially : charming, pleasing

attractively adverb

attractiveness noun