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

• beautiful
• handsome
• cute
• lovely
• gorgeous
• pretty
• charming
• stunning
• good

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

Since 2013, the Edinburgh accessories brand has been building out a global business that offers artisanal leather products at attractive price points. —Gemma A. Williams, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

The program was created to help providers afford to offer workers attractive benefits with the hopes of keeping them in the field. —Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Another contributing factor is that property owners either ignore the dangers or view coastal properties as attractive short-term investments. —Jeremy Sabol, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025

While amenities like a gym and a pool are considered attractive features by most apartment seekers, the nation’s wealthiest renters see these as basic expectations—and look for much more in a residence. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Aug. 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