attract

[ uh-trakt ]

/ əˈtrækt /

SEE 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.

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transliterate

to remove or destroy all traces of.

to change (letters, words, etc.), into corresponding characters of another alphabet or language.

to explain in terms that can be more easily understood.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM attract

at·tract·a·ble, adjectiveat·tract·a·ble·ness, nounat·tract·ing·ly, adverbat·trac·tor, at·tract·er, noun

re·at·tract, verb (used with object)un·at·tract·a·ble, adjectiveun·at·tract·ed, adjectiveun·at·tract·ing, adjective

Words nearby attract

attorney general, attorney general of the united states, attorney-at-law, attorney-in-fact, attotesla, attract, attractancy, attractant, attraction, attraction sphere, attractive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

“Hollywood studios are always trying to attract the largest audience to make money,” Wiseman says.
Inside The Secret World of London’s National Gallery|Tim Teeman|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When she saw him, he pleased her; she had a desire to attract him, to see him often.
The Red Lily, Complete|Anatole France
There was nothing in the state of the atmosphere to attract special attention.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton
But to return for a time to the means taken to attract the notice of other ships.
The Loss of the SS. Titanic|Lawrence Beesley
The process is impossible when there is in the work nothing to attract and something to disgust the vulgar mind.
Modern Painters Volume I (of V)|John Ruskin
The exposition was a very valuable one, and did not fail to attract a large concourse of people from all parts of the country.
Reminiscences, 1819-1899|Julia Ward Howe.

British Dictionary definitions for attract

attract

/ (əˈtrækt) /

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 forms of attract

attractable, 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

attract

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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THIS WEEK’S WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ IS POSITIVELY FELICIFIC

Origin of attract

OTHER WORDS FROM attract

Words nearby attract

Words related to attract

Example sentences from the Web for attract

British Dictionary definitions for attract

verb (mainly tr)

Derived forms of attract

Word Origin for attract