allure
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
alluresimple
-
alluressimple
-
have alluredperfect
-
has alluredperfect
-
am alluringprogressive
-
are alluringprogressive
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is alluringprogressive
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have been alluringperfect progressive
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has been alluringperfect progressive
Past
-
alluredsimple
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had alluredperfect
-
was alluringprogressive
-
were alluringprogressive
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had been alluringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of allure
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English aluren, from Middle French alurer, from a- a- 5 + lurer “to lure”; see lure
Explanation
Something that has allure is powerfully attractive and tempting. A career in Hollywood might have great allure to a teenager who loves acting. You've probably noticed that allure contains lure, from the German word luder meaning "bait." A well-made lure is so alluring to a fish that it won't notice the hook. First used in the 15th century, this word has even landed its own fashion magazine — Allure, which tries to tempt people to buy it by putting powerfully attractive people on the cover and hoping you'll believe that if you buy it, you'll have some allure as well.
Vocabulary lists containing allure
Vocabulary: A Rapper's Delight!
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Vocabulary from texts about Colin Powell
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This Week in Pop Culture : March 9 - 15, 2019
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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:
And despite the added allure of a World Cup in Brazil next summer should England navigate the play-offs this autumn, Kelly is keeping her focus on the short term.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
But it would seem the allure of the artificial-intelligence race, and the deep liquidity of U.S. dollar-denominated markets, has proven too compelling to pass up.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 28, 2026
Its simple, optimistic message — polished with the help of BP’s sophisticated public relations expertise — had an irresistible allure.
From Salon ● Jun. 26, 2026
Zug’s allure partly reflects its rock-bottom tax rates for businesses and individuals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
To them, the indigena piece is just another part of me, something that even seems to add a little allure.
From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau
“Water Music” is best known for the various suites drawn from it — which, for me, more effectively show off the allures of the music and the rich intricacies Handel subtly folded into each piece.
From New York Times ● Oct. 20, 2021
After working on “Ronja” and making a computer-animated TV show, I came to see that there are allures and possibilities unique to CG as much as there are with hand-drawn animation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 7, 2021
Author Keith Gessen brilliantly captures the daily rhythms, allures and challenges of Moscow life in 2008-2009.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 27, 2018
Such uncanny beauty was one of the allures of polar travel.
From The New Yorker ● Apr. 17, 2017
The dream that allures you glimmers and is gone.
From Christopher Columbus and His Monument Columbia being a concordance of choice tributes to the great Genoese, his grand discovery, and his greatness of mind and purpose by Dickey, J. M. (John Marcus)
That year, label scouts began flocking to the city like never before, allured by Chief Keef’s thunderous “Finally Rich” mixtape, along with buzzing music by King Louie and Sasha Go Hard.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2023
But for most of the 2000s, the market allured me and my brother with something else: a street lined with video game and computer stores.
From The Verge ● Aug. 11, 2022
As he received his medallion, Mr. Díaz, allured by the acoustics, burst into an excerpt from “Otello,” his deep voice reverberating throughout the room.
From New York Times ● Dec. 6, 2021
Francis was allured by her experience in hockey, from her playing days to coaching and as an analyst.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 27, 2021
It began to exhibit now, through vistas that allured, the aspect of a vast inhuman grin.
From A Woman of Genius by Austin, Mary Hunter
He also lets them know that certain alluring stocks may already be in their index funds, so buying more shares may be unnecessary.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026
Unlike their Napa Valley dwelling, which had been left vacant since 2018, the couple’s former home offers incredible design details, as well as an alluring proximity to wine country.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026
Cruz is alluring and watchful, while Norton turns out to be the film’s secret weapon.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026
Listen closely through the web of startling improvisations on Mr. Sorey’s version of “Effi,” and you can hear Mr. Allen playing traces of Merritt’s alluring bass grooves from the original.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
The Cold Storage building wasn’t nearly as alluring as the Court of Honor or the midway.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Definitions 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.
