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 of lure

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

The lure drew thousands of crews to Hengdian last year to shoot projects in and around the sprawling Hengdian World Studios. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

The lure of both the flower that the fly feeds on, and the female fly herself, proves a powerful combination for the male. — Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Brokers are always recruiting new agents — not just seasoned veterans snatched from other firms in search of larger splits or better support, but also rookies lured in by the prospect of big paydays. — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

The price of these franchises demands operating with that paradigm and thus lures those who see growth like hammers see nails. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Verb

Middle English luren "to recall (a hawk) with a lure, attract, entice," borrowed from Anglo-French lurer, derivative of lure lure entry 1

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