verb
noun
Other Word Forms
- allurement noun
- allurer noun
- unallured adjective
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!
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Vocabulary from texts about Colin Powell
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Pop Culture : March 9 - 15, 2019
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
But Switzerland and its safe-haven status are part of the UBS special sauce, some analysts say, and it might not have the same allure with customers if it became a U.S.-based bank.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026
Could the former Spain full-back be tempted by the allure of Real Madrid's star-studded squad and their vast transfer war chest?
From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026
"These conspiracies are attractive for a host of reasons including that they are linked to the allure of having 'secret knowledge' or being aware of things others don't know."
From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026
As the festival has grown, so too has the allure for big brands like Guess, Rivian, Soho House and Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila looking to capitalize on Coachella as a marketing megaphone.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
It had crept over her imperceptibly: a kind of stirring, an allure.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
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.
