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"
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!
Workshop 1, Part 2
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!
Freakonomics
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.
McDaniel said one of the most appealing aspects of joining the Chargers staff is that Harbaugh didn’t try to sell him on anything.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026
This is evidently quite appealing, or mollifying, to many audiences.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
It raises the financial and personal stakes for families, as increasing expenses and caregiving demands can make taking time away from work simultaneously more appealing and more difficult to afford.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026
Foreign ministry spokesman Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri, appealing for international support, including specialist teams and kit to "locate people who may be buried under debris", said the mountain geography was adding to the challenge.
From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026
At first she had found it appealing; then it made her uneasy; finally it made her jealous and watchful.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
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.
