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

Here is the poem’s first radical choice: Satan is its most attractive character, not despite his envy or his desire for revenge but because of it. —Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024

Common ivy is better known as a garden invader or a rather attractive indoor plant that's prone to triggering allergic reactions or irritation. —New Atlas, 14 Dec. 2024

Teenagers spent an average of 4.8 hours each day on social media platforms, with YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat found to be the most attractive to younger users. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024

You’ll be cordially greeted by equally attractive hostesses, and since the main dining room can be loud, your best bet would be to get a corner table or one to the rear. —John Mariani, Forbes, 13 Dec. 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