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.
“It feels like a big stretch that this particular vehicle is going to be appealing outside of any niche audience,” said Erin Keating, executive analyst at industry-research firm Cox Automotive.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2026
For those eager to turn their next property investment into a lucrative business opportunity, the home’s impressive history as a successful rental will no doubt be one of its most appealing features.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026
It said Monday that it was now appealing directly to EasyJet shareholders to consider the "merits" of its latest proposal.
From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026
Police are appealing for anyone who knew a Polish hairdresser to get in touch - six months after she was last seen alive.
From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026
Even today there is no greater venom among hardcore classical music champions than that reserved for so-called 'crossover’ artists who dare to pollute the pure waters of the classical repertoire by appealing to the masses.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
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.
