attract

[uh-trakt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR attract ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to draw by a physical force causing or tending to cause to approach, adhere, or unite; pull (opposed to repel): The gravitational force of the earth attracts smaller bodies to it.

to draw by appealing to the emotions or senses, by stimulating interest, or by exciting admiration; allure; invite: to attract attention; to attract admirers by one's charm.

verb (used without object)

to possess or exert the power of attraction.

Origin of attract

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin attractus drawn to (past participle of attrahere), equivalent to at- at- + trac- (variant stem of trahere to draw) + -tus past participle suffix

Related formsat·tract·a·ble, adjectiveat·tract·a·ble·ness, nounat·tract·ing·ly, adverbat·trac·tor, at·tract·er, nounre·at·tract, verb (used with object)un·at·tract·a·ble, adjectiveun·at·tract·ed, adjectiveun·at·tract·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for attract

draw, engage, entice, captivate, fascinate, send, bring, kill, interest, intrigue, invite, bait, slay, lure, inveigle, hook, beguile, allure, beckon, court

Examples from the Web for attract

Contemporary Examples of attract

Cold War fears could be manipulated through misleading art to attract readers to daunting material.
How Pulp Fiction Saved Literature
Wendy Smith
January 8, 2015
Not all Israeli gay propaganda is pinkwashing—a lot of it is good, old-fashioned PR to attract gay tourist dollars to Tel Aviv.
How Canadian Oilmen Pinkwash the Keystone Pipeline
Jay Michaelson
December 28, 2014
They dye their hair and alter their clothes, but not enough to attract attention from authorities.
North Korea’s Secret Movie Bootleggers: How Western Films Make It Into the Hermit Kingdom
Lizzie Crocker
December 22, 2014
Who helps build convention centers and adjacent hotels so cities can attract convention business?
Democrats Are Petrified of Defending Government—but They Need to Start
Michael Tomasky
December 4, 2014
As we approach the rumble of guns grows louder and alternates with the whir of cannonballs, which begin to attract his attention.
How Clausewitz Invented Modern War
James A. Warren
November 24, 2014

Historical Examples of attract

And, if we do, it is doubtful if we can attract their attention.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
There will be nothing to attract these poor children to one centre.
Fire Worship (From "Mosses From An Old Manse")
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Finally Number Thirteen cracked his long whip to attract their attention.
The Monster Men
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Whatever the motive for his masquerade, it was not to attract anything feminine.
It Happened in Egypt
C. N. Williamson
However little one desires to attract, one may at least wish one's hat to be straight.
The Incomplete Amorist
E. Nesbit

British Dictionary definitions for attract

attract

verb (mainly tr)

to draw (notice, a crowd of observers, etc) to oneself by conspicuous behaviour or appearance (esp in the phrase attract attention)

(also intr) to exert a force on (a body) that tends to cause an approach or oppose a separationthe gravitational pull of the earth attracts objects to it

to possess some property that pulls or draws (something) towards itselfjam attracts wasps

(also intr) to exert a pleasing, alluring, or fascinating influence (upon); be attractive (to)

Derived Formsattractable, adjectiveattractor or attracter, noun

Word Origin for attract

C15: from Latin attrahere to draw towards, from trahere to pull

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for attract

early 15c., from Latin attractus, past participle of attrahere "to draw, pull; to attract," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + trahere "draw" (see tract (n.1)).

Originally a medical term for the body's tendency to absorb fluids, nourishment, etc., or for a poultice treatment to "draw out" diseased matter (1560s). Of the ability of people or animals to draw others to them, it is attested from 1560s; of physical forces (magnetism, etc.), from c.1600 (implied in attraction). Related: Attracted; attracting.