attract

[ uh-trakt ]

/ əˈtrækt /

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.

Nearby words

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

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 forms

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

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

Examples 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 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

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.

attract

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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Origin of attract

Examples from the Web for attract

British Dictionary definitions for attract

attract

verb (mainly tr)

Word Origin for attract

Word Origin and History for attract

attract