attract
Americanverb (used with object)
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attracts,
present (3rd person singular)
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attracted,
past participle, past
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attracting
present participle
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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.
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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)
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attracts,
present (3rd person singular)
-
attracted,
past participle, past
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attracting
present participle
verb
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to draw (notice, a crowd of observers, etc) to oneself by conspicuous behaviour or appearance (esp in the phrase attract attention )
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(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
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to possess some property that pulls or draws (something) towards itself
jam attracts wasps
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(also intr) to exert a pleasing, alluring, or fascinating influence (upon); be attractive (to)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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attractablenessnoun
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attracternoun
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attractornoun
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reattractverb (used with object)
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attractableadjective
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unattractableadjective
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unattractedadjective
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unattractingadjective
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attractinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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attractsimple
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attractssimple
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have attractedperfect
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has attractedperfect
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am attractingprogressive
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are attractingprogressive
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is attractingprogressive
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have been attractingperfect progressive
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has been attractingperfect progressive
Past
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attractedsimple
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had attractedperfect
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was attractingprogressive
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were attractingprogressive
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had been attractingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of attract
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”
Explanation
To attract is to exert a force that draws something in, like the way a magnet attracts a paper clip. You might know the phrase, "opposites attract." This means you might be drawn to a personality type that is completely unlike yours. With attract comes the sense that the pull you feel towards someone or something is not entirely voluntary. It's quite possible to say that you are attracted to someone, but you don't really like them. Low prices can attract buyers into a store they would not normally go into, and standing on a street corner screaming loudly will probably attract quite a bit of attention, but not the good kind.
Vocabulary lists containing attract
Electricity and Magnetism - Introductory
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"Return to Titanic" and "Talking with Robert Ballard"
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Force, Motion, and Energy
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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.
See Examples For:
Scenario is designed to attract women around 35 years old who want more trendy details in their outfits than Time and Tru traditionally offers, said Marcus Brown, a lead designer for the Scenario line.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
According to polls, they attract more negative opinions than any other royals, barring his scandal-plagued uncle, ex-prince Andrew.
From Barron's ● Aug. 23, 2026
It also does not appear to have dawned on them that they are high-profile individuals, likely to attract attention, with footage finding its way to social media, as happened with Carse.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is part of a belated celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, and the event is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
And although he always refused to discuss secret matters, even his refusals could attract attention, further angering the NSA.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
When major broadcast networks decide to move their programming from one local TV station to another, it rarely attracts the attention of the federal government.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
All point to a sector under operational stress, particularly at the lower end of the market, which attracts entry-level buyers who are more sensitive to rates and monthly payments.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
He argued the tech firm may be seeking to highlight its own AI capabilities as rival Anthropic attracts growing attention for its Claude Mythos model.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
The government of libertarian President Javier Milei aims to use the bill to provide a legal framework that attracts investment.
From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026
It isn’t the Net that drives kids into isolation or creates lonely children; the Net attracts lonely and ignored lads, and puts them in touch with others just like them.
From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz
Most of Greenock's African population are working or studying in Glasgow or Paisley and have been attracted to the town by cheap housing.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
The booming business of sports has attracted a flood of private equity investment and even the most notable franchises require the influx of cash to keep up in the arms race.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
According to Zaye Capital, U.S. spot bitcoin products attracted almost $520 million in net inflows on Wednesday, marking their largest daily inflow in about three and a half months.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
The over-35s team based in south Manchester attracted attention last year for assembling a squad full of former Premier League players.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
The answer to this seemed, almost unquestionably, No. Not only did he behave as if he wasn’t attracted to Bunny, he acted as if he were hardly able to stand him.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
At the same time, it tracks users' search data and social media trends to generate designs with a high likelihood of attracting demand -- often appearing to simply copy from other brands.
From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026
Now, as it emerges from a postindustrial decline, Genoa is again attracting tourists and with good reason: The city is full of surprises, with an eccentric charm that inspires exploration.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
Long before this sort of content became a social media phenomenon, programmes such as Britain's Biggest Hoarders, The Hoarder Next Door and Hoarder SOS were attracting audiences on television.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
There’s plenty of challenges ahead, but for now, JSerra has something good going in a sport that keeps attracting more and more fans.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026
Somehow as it rusted the object was attracting elemental particles from the air.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
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.
