attractive
Americanadjective
-
providing pleasure or delight, especially in appearance or manner; pleasing; charming; alluring.
an attractive personality.
-
arousing interest or engaging one's thought, consideration, etc.: an attractive price.
an attractive idea;
an attractive price.
-
having the quality of attracting.
adjective
-
appealing to the senses or mind through beauty, form, character, etc
-
arousing interest
an attractive opportunity
-
possessing the ability to draw or pull
an attractive force
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of attractive
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English attractif, attractive, (from Middle French at(t)ractif ), from Late Latin attractīvus “(of a medicine) having drawing power, absorptive,” derivative of attractus , “drawn, contracted,” see attract, -ive
Explanation
Anybody or anything that's attractive is visually pleasing or draws you in. Being attractive has to do with attracting others, one way or another. If you're talking about a magnet, that's a literal, physical kind of attraction. For people, being attractive usually means you're beautiful or handsome enough to pull in the attention of others. But having a great personality or a good job are attractive traits, too. If someone offered to give you something valuable for a good price, you could also say, "That's an attractive offer" — meaning it's tempting.
Vocabulary lists containing attractive
Structure and Properties of Matter - Middle School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Structure and Properties of Matter - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Structure and Properties of Matter - High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Funding and having attractive facilities make a big difference, but Paul says he's only been able to keep going because he's prepared to do whatever it takes to keep it going.
From BBC • Jul. 10, 2026
Hong Leong maintains an overweight rating on Malaysia’s automotive sector given its resilient earnings and attractive dividend yields, and pegs MBM Resources and Sime Darby as top picks.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 10, 2026
Shell shares have underperformed European peers in the past month and the pullback offers an attractive entry point for investors, they write.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2026
Pristane and phytane have another important characteristic that makes them attractive targets in the search for life.
From Science Daily • Jul. 9, 2026
This idea of a happier afterworld was attractive to the public as many Americans worried that their country might not survive its galloping growth.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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.
