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
-
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
-
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:
The scientist believed that capturing the public's imagination would help attract financial backing.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
They got the dunk tank, and they threw this party, and they found a way through fun to attract their community back out into the sun together.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
To attract crews for these risky trips, ship management companies are offering sailors double or triple pay and bonuses of up to $25,000.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
In China, AI companies have already had success using cuddly companions to attract users to their products.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 3, 2026
Little had I known then that it would attract the god of rot.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
In north Wales, the coastal town of Llandudno attracts millions of visitors every year.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
Stone attracts a lot of attention for her tender age and lavishly produced content.
From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026
The 1,750-acre Torrey Pines reserve, located north of La Jolla and south of Del Mar in San Diego County, attracts an estimated 4 million visitors yearly.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026
The group attracts an opposite reaction—members of the antifascist movement, antifa, stage counterprotests and host lunch giveaways where they serve “militant carrot-based dishes.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
“And the English think their lavender attracts fairies. It’s got nothin’ on our desert sage.”
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
The deaths of fathers, however, have attracted far less scrutiny.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
Husted has also been a supporter of data center investment, which has attracted backlash, Sracic said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
Kiersten says she was initially attracted to the dessert as she could manage portion size and sweetness level.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
The issue of loneliness has attracted a lot of attention in recent years.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
He seems to have taken no notice of the mother and son for a long time, but at last Danaë attracted his attention.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's right-wing government has prioritised attracting data centre investments to the Nordic country, which is grappling with record-high unemployment and sluggish economic growth.
From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026
It’s not just about attracting casual fans to watch the icon whose face adorns everything from airplanes to skin care products.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
Cartier’s sales have been booming as the brand does a good job of attracting customers at different ends of the income spectrum, which might now be the key to success in a K-shaped economy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
Ramp is certainly good at attracting investors, but it may be even better at pulling off creative stunts.
From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026
“What we do is treason, make no mistake. Trust only your companions, and do your best to avoid attracting notice.”
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
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.
