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.
“The problem is that they actually ended up really appealing to no one in particular.”
From MarketWatch • May 31, 2026
In February, the High Court ruled that the terrorist group designation was unlawful, and the UK government is appealing against the decision.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
It’s therefore frustrating that Mr. Carney has gone off in a different and less appealing direction with “Power Ballad.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
It’s visually appealing and the employee-to-customer ratio is notable, and the result is that you feel like you’re at a resort.
From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026
She made an appealing picture, unlike the loathsome Goodacre.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
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.
