attract
Americanverb (used with object)
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to draw by a physical force causing or tending to cause to approach, adhere, or unite; pull (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)
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
- attractable adjective
- attractableness noun
- attracter noun
- attractingly adverb
- attractor noun
- reattract verb (used with object)
- unattractable adjective
- unattracted adjective
- unattracting adjective
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”
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.
Following a period of low oil prices and declining production, Venezuela’s “apertura petrolera,” an initiative in the 1990s to attract foreign oil investors, featured new contract types and joint venture agreements.
From Barron's
Data is thin on the ground over the holiday period, though revised third-quarter gross domestic product figures on Monday, Dec. 22 will attract attention.
Hadi made regular appearances on various media programmes after last year's protest and quickly attracted a wide following - as well as a steady pool of opponents.
From BBC
Top U.S. law firms have been growing rapidly in revenue and size, creating a bifurcated market where the big get bigger, allowing them to attract the best talent and outstrip smaller players.
At the time, the retailer was struggling to attract shoppers.
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.
