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

The progressive automaker now has attractive EVs in every corner of the U.S. market, and the return of an improved Chevy Bolt will add to that diversity. —Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

Turn on newer features Recent iOS and Android updates include a number of new functions designed to make thefts less attractive. —Kelvin Chan, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024

The truth is, after losing revenue for nine of the last 15 years, in a market where oversupply and price wars made foreign steel more attractive (now 25 percent of U.S. domestic consumption), the deal was a lifeline for U.S. Steel. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

What makes Houston particularly attractive is how the energy sector’s evolution, especially in renewable energy and technology innovation, is creating new opportunities for diverse talent at all levels. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 4 Nov. 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