- present participle of appeal.
appealing
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of appealing
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; appeal + -ing 2
Explanation
The adjective appealing describes someone who is able to attract interest or is easy to like. For example, your easy sense of humor and way of making people feel comfortable make you appealing to friends old and new. If you are appealing, people want to be around you. It might be that you are really nice, or a good listener, not to mention have good looks. Actors who are appealing tend to get a lot of parts because filmmakers know audiences will flock to see them, just as an appealing description of a dish on a menu will lead more people to order it. This something is appealing, it is — or will be — popular.
Vocabulary lists containing appealing
Call of Beauty: Synonyms for "Beautiful"
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Workshop 1, Part 2
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Freakonomics
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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.
But what some perceive as a negative makes the Green Lantern legend appealing to others, especially those driven to ascend through ambition and hard work.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
The title of Ryan Effgen’s appealing debut novel, “Make Nice,” alludes to the pet exhortation of dear old mom; it’s what she hoped for from her offspring at this five-day reunion.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
In the event that Frimpong grants the injunction, Mummolo asked her to stay the order by 14 days so they could consider appealing the ruling to the 9th circuit court.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
Gwent Police is appealing for witnesses and want to speak to anyone who was in the pub between 22:00 and 23:00 on the night of the incident.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
I wanted to find out why it was so appealing and likable.
From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah
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.
