enticing

[en-tahy-sing]

adjective

1. attractive; alluring.

   The enticing aroma of cinnamon and cloves wafts from the kitchen.

Other Word Forms

• enticingly adverb
• enticingness noun
• nonenticing adjective
• nonenticingly adverb
• unenticing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enticing¹

entic(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

“The low cost made it so enticing and the respect the school has from the hospitals are big reasons for attending this program over others.”

From Los Angeles Times

As enticing as managing a top club may be, the grass isn't always greener.

From BBC

From one goal-kick City brought some of their players towards the ball, enticing Spurs to follow them closer to their goal.

From BBC

There is an alternative, but not an enticing one.

From BBC

Along with a wider array of food options, alcoholic beverages available for purchase, and special discounted tickets, these changes are all meant to make moviegoing enticing again.

From Salon

Related Words

• alluring 
• appealing 
• captivating 
• desirable 
• engaging 
• fascinating 
• inviting 
• tempting 

When To Use

What does enticing mean?

Enticing means having the effect of attracting, tempting, or drawing people in.Things that are described as enticing produce desire or attraction. The word is especially used to describe things that appeal to the senses. But something can be enticing for other reasons, as in The job offer was enticing due to the big salary increase, but I didn’t think the work would be fulfilling. The adjective enticing comes from the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb entice, meaning to attract, allure, or tempt. (Entice is sometimes confused with the verb incite, which means to encourage, urge, prompt, or provoke someone to do something, especially something bad. Incite is usually used more negatively than entice.)Something that’s described as enticing is viewed as positive and desirous by the person whom it has enticed, but the word itself sometimes implies that such a thing serves to tempt people to do something that perhaps they shouldn’t, as in That chocolate is enticing, but I vowed to give up sweets for a while.Example: The enticing aroma of the roasted nuts draws people to the street cart.