attract

[uh-trakt]

verb (used with object)

1. to draw by a physical force causing or tending to cause to approach, adhere, or unite; pull (repel ).

   The gravitational force of the earth attracts smaller bodies to it.

2. 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)

1. to possess or exert the power of attraction.

attract

/ əˈtrækt /

verb

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

2. (also intr) to exert a force on (a body) that tends to cause an approach or oppose a separation

   the gravitational pull of the earth attracts objects to it

3. to possess some property that pulls or draws (something) towards itself

   jam attracts wasps

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

Other Word Forms

• attractable adjective
• attractableness noun
• attractingly adverb
• attractor noun
• attracter noun
• reattract verb (used with object)
• unattractable adjective
• unattracted adjective
• unattracting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of attract¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin attractus “drawn toward,” past participle of attrahere “to draw toward,” from at- at- + trahere “to draw, drag, pull”

Word History and Origins

Origin of attract¹

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

Example Sentences

What makes us the main outlier among developed nations is our ability to attract foreigners.

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“While all these efforts appealed to our existing consumers, they did not grow our customer base and we have not attracted a younger consumer.”

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At the U.N.’s COP30 climate talks, the focus was on “catalytic capital,” a type of leveraged finance where a small pool of capital is used to attract a much larger one.

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Posts from some of the accounts have attracted millions of impressions - views, likes, reposts and replies - which can result in payment from X.

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Goodwill also has to win over skeptical landlords who still might think of Goodwill as drab stores that attract primarily lower-income customers.

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Related Words

• appeal to www.thesaurus.com
• bring 
• captivate 
• draw 
• engage 
• entice 
• fascinate 
• interest 
• intrigue 
• invite 
• kill 
• send