entice

[ en-tahys ]

/ ɛnˈtaɪs /

verb (used with object), en·ticed, en·tic·ing.

to lead on by exciting hope or desire; allure; inveigle: They were enticed westward by dreams of gold.

Nearby words

enthusiasm, enthusiast, enthusiastic, enthymeme, entia, entice, enticement, enticing, entire, entire function, entirely

Origin of entice

1250–1300; Middle English enticen < Old French enticier to incite < Vulgar Latin *intitiāre, equivalent to Latin in- in-² + -titiāre, verbal derivative of *titius, for titiō piece of burning wood

SYNONYMS FOR entice

lure, attract, decoy, tempt.

ANTONYMS FOR entice

repel.

Related forms

en·tic·ing·ly, adverben·tic·ing·ness, nounnon·en·tic·ing, adjectivenon·en·tic·ing·ly, adverb

un·en·ticed, adjectiveun·en·tic·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for enticingly

And perhaps most enticingly, at least to employees I spoke with, the network would be staunchly nonpartisan.
The Godfather of Right-Wing Radio|Caitlin Dickson|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It goes beautifully with dark chocolate, making for an enticingly spicy version of hot cocoa.
How Top Chefs Stay Thin|Rachel Syme|December 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST
I gazed up at Sir S. as enticingly as I knew how, and there was a look in his eyes that frightened me a little.
The Heather-Moon|C. N. Williamson and A. M. Williamson
"Do have a cup of tea," cried Kate, enticingly, with the view to a reprieve.
Bluebell|Mrs. George Croft Huddleston

Hoxton Street was a glorious dream, as enticingly indefinite as an opium-sleep.
Nights in London|Thomas Burke
I wonder what he would have done had some one enticingly rattled a shilling on a plate?
'Brother Bosch', an Airman's Escape from Germany|Gerald Featherstone Knight
He extended the finger further and waggled it enticingly beneath Bill's beak.
Jill the Reckless|P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse

British Dictionary definitions for enticingly

entice

/ (ɪnˈtaɪs) /

verb

(tr) to attract or draw towards oneself by exciting hope or desire; tempt; allure

Derived Forms

enticement, nounenticer, nounenticing, adjectiveenticingly, adverb

enticingness, noun

Word Origin for entice

C13: from Old French enticier, from Vulgar Latin intitiāre (unattested) to incite, from Latin titiō firebrand

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