lure

[ loor ]

noun

1. anything that attracts, entices, or allures.

   Synonyms: temptation

2. the power of attracting or enticing.
3. a decoy; live or especially artificial bait used in fishing or trapping.
4. Falconry. a feathered decoy for attracting a hawk, swung at the end of a long line and sometimes baited with raw meat.
5. a flap or tassel dangling from the dorsal fin of pediculate fishes, as the angler, that attracts prey to the mouth region.

verb (used with object)

, lured, lur·ing.

1. to attract, entice, or tempt; allure.

   Synonyms: seduce

   Antonyms: repel

2. to draw or recall (especially a falcon), as by a lure or decoy.

lure

/ lʊə /

verb

1. sometimes foll byaway or into to tempt or attract by the promise of some type of reward
2. falconry to entice (a hawk or falcon) from the air to the falconer by a lure

noun

1. a person or thing that lures
2. angling any of various types of brightly-coloured artificial spinning baits, usually consisting of a plastic or metal body mounted with hooks and trimmed with feathers, etc See jig plug spoon
3. falconry a feathered decoy to which small pieces of meat can be attached and which is equipped with a long thong

Derived Forms

• ˈlurer, noun

Other Words From

• lurement noun
• lurer noun
• luring·ly adverb
• un·lured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lure¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French luere ( French leurre ), from Frankish lothr- (unrecorded); cognate with Middle High German luoder, German Luder “bait”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lure¹

C14: from Old French loirre falconer's lure, from Germanic; related to Old English lathian to invite

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in lure, Heraldry. noting a pair of wings joined with the tips downward.

Example Sentences

Udom Matsayawanigul, director of the Thailand Film Office, which is part of the Tourism Ministry, said that as competition to lure foreign productions has stiffened, Thailand has had to sweeten its offers to keep up.

From Los Angeles Times

Anglerfish are best known for their bioluminescent lures, which dangle from their foreheads to attract prey in the perpetual darkness of the deep sea.

From Science Daily

Besigye's allies and wife have come out to reveal harrowing details of how the opposition chief was apparently lured to meet his abductors, said to have disguised themselves as Kenyan security agents.

From BBC

Many of its suppliers have also set up shop in the US, lured by government incentives for renewable energy introduced by President Joe Biden.

From BBC

The quarterback alone, lured away from Duke this past offseason, cost a cool mil.

From Los Angeles Times