entice
Americanverb (used with object)
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entices,
present (3rd person singular)
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enticed,
past participle, past
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enticing
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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enticementnoun
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enticernoun
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enticingnessnoun
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enticingadjective
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unenticedadjective
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enticinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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enticesimple
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enticessimple
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have enticedperfect
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has enticedperfect
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am enticingprogressive
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are enticingprogressive
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is enticingprogressive
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have been enticingperfect progressive
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has been enticingperfect progressive
Past
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enticedsimple
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had enticedperfect
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was enticingprogressive
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were enticingprogressive
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had been enticingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of entice
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English enticen, from Old French enticier “to incite,” from unattested Vulgar Latin intitiāre, equivalent to Latin in- in- 2 + -titiāre, verbal derivative of unattested titius, for titiō “piece of burning wood”
Explanation
Let's say your friend wants to go to the movies and you don't want to. Your friend might try to entice you by offering to buy you popcorn and a soda. Entice means to persuade with promises of something. The word entice means to lure or tempt someone by promising them something that they like. It is a little manipulative but in a fairly straightforward way. You always know it when someone is enticing you. If a company really wants to hire you, they will entice you with a good salary and generous benefits. The promise of a gold star is often enough to entice small children to get good grades.
Vocabulary lists containing entice
Nothing But the Truth
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
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And Then There Were None
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Swiss company is keeping prices steady and relying on product enhancements to entice shoppers to pay full price.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
In the school holidays, many places will entice families through their doors by offering free or £1 meals for kids eating with paying adults.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
Gao, who trained in France, is helping Chinese wine expand internationally, as sommeliers seek to entice drinkers bored by Bordeaux and Barolo with new wine experiences.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
The states suing Meta claimed it used its platforms "to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens," and ignored the damage they did to the "mental and physical wellbeing of America's youth".
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
He liked to entice me into lies: “Gorgeous necktie,” he’d say, “that’s a Hermès, isn’t it?”—and then, when I assented, reach quickly across the lunch table and expose my poor tie’s humble lineage.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Perched on a bluff near the Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater entices millions each year with its sugary-white beach and turquoise waters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
He argued they include private exchanges with lawyers, details about policy-making decisions and information that would reveal how the state entices companies to invest here.
From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2025
Influencer marketing is just one piece of what entices people to buy clothes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2024
And it’s a sign that the game is operating exactly as designed, with long odds creating a massive jackpot that entices people to drop $2 on a ticket.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 4, 2024
It’s this weakness, whatever it is, that entices me.
From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
Christopher Cerrone and his wife left Brooklyn for a condo in Jersey City’s Journal Square neighborhood in 2023, enticed by the fact they could get more space for the money there.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026
Authorities enticed companies with comprehensive financial, tax and employment support packages -- some were offered three‑year tax exemptions and 10 years of free rent.
From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026
Pintscher was enticed to the Salzburg Festival as part of this summer’s homage to the ageless Hungarian composer György Kurtág, who turned 100 this year.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Stokes enticed O'Rourke to miscue and then came a moment of controversy.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
Marlene had to be enticed away from her hay—and that was not easy—but Karli managed it with a few tempting potatoes.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
A small shelter was placed in the middle of the trap that proved very enticing for Luna.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
Speculative grade or junk bonds are riskier, although the higher yields are enticing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Sure, for people with no health insurance, this is an enticing opportunity to effectively pay one month of coverage to get the silhouette of an annual physical, except without an actual doctor present.
From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2026
This season’s deals may not be as enticing because higher transport costs impact those ingredients too, Lempert said.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
I cannot deny that it is an enticing vision the captain has put forth.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
