lure

1 of 2

noun

ˈlu̇r 

1

: an object usually of leather or feathers attached to a long cord and used by a falconer to recall or exercise a hawk

2

a

: an inducement to pleasure or gain : enticement

the lure of adventure

the lure of her beauty

b

: appeal, attraction

may succumb to the lure of candy, sodas and other sweets

—Cheryl Jennings-Sauer

3

: a decoy for attracting animals to capture: such as

a

: artificial bait used for catching fish

b

: an often luminous (see luminous sense 1a) structure on the head of pediculate fishes that is used to attract prey

lure

2 of 2

verb

lured; luring

transitive verb

1

: to recall or exercise (a hawk) by means of a lure

2

: to draw with a hint of pleasure or gain : attract actively and strongly

Synonyms

Noun

• temptation
• incentive
• bait
• attraction
• enticement
• motivation
• come-on
• impetus

Verb

• tempt
• seduce
• entice
• persuade

Choose the Right Synonym for lure

lure, entice, inveigle, decoy, tempt, seduce mean to lead astray from one's true course.

lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

tempt implies the presenting of an attraction so strong that it overcomes the restraints of conscience or better judgment.

tempted by the offer of money

seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

Examples of lure in a Sentence

Noun

the promise of easy money is always the lure for some people to play the lottery

the fish simply didn't seem to like the lure I was using, so I didn't catch a thing

Verb

They lured the bear out of its den.

The suburbs are luring middle-class families away from the city.

The police lured him back to the scene of the crime.

Explorers were lured to the area by tales of a city of gold.

An attractive window display can help to lure shoppers into the store.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Hefty incentives packages from the city and the state were also a strong lure. —Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2025

In Los Angeles, the boom translated to an influx of new workers who had moved west, seduced by the lure of movies as much as the location’s oil fields and automobile manufacturers, and the city saw its population double between 1920 and 1925. —Literary Hub, 24 June 2025

Verb

Barely over a year ago, McKay was obsessing over film and trying to lure Peter to Liberty. —Tony East, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s archive features postcards depicting Black children sitting near swamps to lure alligators. —Miami Herald, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French lure, leure, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German luoder bait; perhaps akin to Old English lathian to invite, Old High German ladōn

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lure

• boor
• cour
• cure
• jure
• moor
• pure
• spoor
• sure
• tour
• abjure
• adjure
• allure

Kids Definition

lure

1 of 2 noun

ˈlu̇(ə)r 

1

a

: something that persuades one to perform an action for pleasure or gain : temptation

b

: appeal entry 1 sense 3, attraction

2

: a decoy for attracting animals to capture

especially : an artificial bait used for catching fish

lure

2 of 2 verb

lured; luring

: to tempt or lead away by offering some pleasure or advantage : entice