allure

[uh-loor]

verb (used with object)

allured, alluring 

1. to attract or tempt by something flattering or desirable.

   Synonyms: lure, entice

2. to fascinate; charm.

   Synonyms: captivate, entrance, enchant

verb (used without object)

allured, alluring 

1. to be attractive or tempting.

noun

1. fascination; charm; appeal.

   Synonyms: attraction, glamour

allure

/ əˈlʊə, əˈljʊə /

verb

1. (tr) to entice or tempt (someone) to a person or place or to a course of action; attract

noun

1. attractiveness; appeal

   the cottage's allure was its isolation

Other Word Forms

• allurer noun
• unallured adjective
• allurement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of allure¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English aluren, from Middle French alurer, from a- a- ⁵ + lurer “to lure”; lure

Word History and Origins

Origin of allure¹

C15: from Old French alurer, from lure bait, _lure

Example Sentences

What is inarguable is that Shepard possessed iconic beauty, whose “imperfections,” such as the crookedness of his teeth, only added to his allure.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As he aged and his face grew craggy and weathered, his allure only deepened.

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Long after she went free, D’Aquino lived with the stigma — and carried the peculiar allure — of the moniker history had saddled her with.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But the allure of a post-IPO surge or the hype on social media can sometimes distract from proper due diligence.

Read more on Barron's

David Galperin, who heads the Sotheby’s contemporary art department in New York, said collectors want lighting to position their art in the most alluring ways for potential bidders.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• attraction 
• charisma 
• charm 
• enticement 
• glamor www.thesaurus.com
• magnetism 
• temptation