attractive

American  

[uh-trak-tiv] / əˈtræk tɪv /

adjective

1. providing pleasure or delight, especially in appearance or manner; pleasing; charming; alluring.

   an attractive personality.

2. arousing interest or engaging one's thought, consideration, etc.: an attractive price.

   an attractive idea;

   an attractive price.

3. having the quality of attracting.

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attractive British  

/ əˈtræktɪv /

adjective

1. appealing to the senses or mind through beauty, form, character, etc

2. arousing interest

   an attractive opportunity

3. possessing the ability to draw or pull

   an attractive force

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Other Word Forms

• attractively
  adverb
• attractiveness
  noun
• superattractive
  adjective
• unattractive
  adjective
• unattractively
  adverb
• unattractiveness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of attractive

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English attractif, attractive, (from Middle French at(t)ractif ), from Late Latin attractīvus “(of a medicine) having drawing power, absorptive,” derivative of attractus , “drawn, contracted,” see attract, -ive

Explanation

Anybody or anything that's attractive is visually pleasing or draws you in. Being attractive has to do with attracting others, one way or another. If you're talking about a magnet, that's a literal, physical kind of attraction. For people, being attractive usually means you're beautiful or handsome enough to pull in the attention of others. But having a great personality or a good job are attractive traits, too. If someone offered to give you something valuable for a good price, you could also say, "That's an attractive offer" — meaning it's tempting.

Example Sentences

Lower-cost heating and cooling could also make the area more attractive to businesses that rely heavily on temperature control, such as greenhouses and food processing facilities.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

In fact, many experts say high housing prices and other factors continue to make more affordable cities outside California very attractive, especially to younger people.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Keane's knowledge of Celtic, experience of winning and European football make him an attractive fit.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

But some strategists see the sector as a bargain, with subsectors such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology particularly attractive.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

What the books said was, as in the case of East o’ the Sun, interesting, but the idea that I could enter this world at any time I chose was even more attractive.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers

Related Words

• alluring
• beautiful
• charming
• engaging
• enticing
• fair
• glamorous
• good-looking
• gorgeous
• handsome
• interesting
• inviting
• lovely
• pleasant
• pleasing
• tempting