attract

[ uh-trakt ]

/ əˈtrækt /

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See synonyms for: attract / attracted / attracting / attracts 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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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use attract in a sentence

We all want to stay on top of them as this will attract more customers.
A comprehensive guide on using Google Trends for keyword research|Aayush Gupta|February 12, 2021|Search Engine Watch
Levitt has suggested previously that the new enrollment period was a “very partial step” and predicted that it might not attract many customers because the health plans were not affordable to everyone eligible for them.
Affordable Care Act subsidies likely to increase under congressional plan|Amy Goldstein|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Fenty Beauty, her cosmetics brand, attracted customers by catering to a wide range of skin tones.
Why Rihanna’s luxury collaboration with LVMH failed|Marc Bain|February 10, 2021|Quartz
If you fail to optimize your business for local search, you’ll attract generic leads that aren’t capable of making a transaction because of geographical constraints.
A small business’ step-by-step guide to dominating local search in 2021|Joseph Dyson|February 10, 2021|Search Engine Watch

The page was established Saturday with an initial goal of $45,000 and attracted nearly 10,000 donors in only a few days.
As police continue probe of Britt Reid crash, 5-year-old remains in critical condition|Rick Maese|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
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
Not all Israeli gay propaganda is pinkwashing—a lot of it is good, old-fashioned PR to attract gay tourist dollars to Tel Aviv.
How Canadian Oilmen Pinkwash the Keystone Pipeline|Jay Michaelson|December 28, 2014|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
Personally, the English do not attract nor shine; but collectively they are a race to make their mark on the destinies of mankind.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
A Cremona Violin is, to a rich amateur, a loadstone that is sure to attract the shining metal from the depths of his purse.
Violins and Violin Makers|Joseph Pearce
A young lady so fascinating in mind and person could not but attract much attention.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
But the Transient Car bill, as it came to be called, began mysteriously to attract unprecedented attention.
Scattergood Baines|Clarence Budington Kelland
He was entirely neglected, and his Odes, which possessed great merit, failed to attract any attention during his life time.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

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

Origin of attract

OTHER WORDS FROM attract

Words nearby attract

Words related to attract

How to use attract in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for attract

Derived forms of attract

Word Origin for attract