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.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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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

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

Words related to attract

draw, engage, entice, captivate, fascinate, send, bring, kill, interest, intrigue, invite, bait, slay, lure, inveigle, hook, beguile, allure, beckon, court

Example sentences from the Web for attract

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