lure

[loor]

noun

1. anything that attracts, entices, or allures.

   Synonyms: temptation

2. the power of attracting or enticing.

3. a decoy; live or especially artificial bait used in fishing or trapping.

4. Falconry.,  a feathered decoy for attracting a hawk, swung at the end of a long line and sometimes baited with raw meat.

5. a flap or tassel dangling from the dorsal fin of pediculate fishes, as the angler, that attracts prey to the mouth region.

verb (used with object)

lured, luring 

1. to attract, entice, or tempt; allure.

   Synonyms: seduce
   Antonyms: repel

2. to draw or recall (especially a falcon), as by a lure or decoy.

lure

/ lʊə /

verb

1. to tempt or attract by the promise of some type of reward

2. falconry to entice (a hawk or falcon) from the air to the falconer by a lure

noun

1. a person or thing that lures

2. angling any of various types of brightly-coloured artificial spinning baits, usually consisting of a plastic or metal body mounted with hooks and trimmed with feathers, etc See jig plug spoon

3. falconry a feathered decoy to which small pieces of meat can be attached and which is equipped with a long thong

Other Word Forms

• lurement noun
• lurer noun
• luringly adverb
• unlured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lure¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French luere ( French leurre ), from Frankish lothr- (unrecorded); cognate with Middle High German luoder, German Luder “bait”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lure¹

C14: from Old French loirre falconer's lure, from Germanic; related to Old English lathian to invite

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in lure, noting a pair of wings joined with the tips downward.

Example Sentences

These would be likely to intrigue the soothsayer and lure her out of hiding, if she happened to be in earshot.

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How could a simple landlubber of a governess ever compete with the lure of the waves and the tides, the tang of the salt air, and the beckoning twinkle of the stars?

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The biscuits were for her own use, in case the Incorrigibles themselves got carried away and needed to be lured back to more civilized surroundings.

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The innocent-sounding words “Yes, it’s close enough to walk” can easily lure the unsuspecting tourist into an exhausting day-long climb, requiring supplemental oxygen, crampons, and a pickax.

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The panda refused to be lured into the transport cage, so a tranquilizer dart was used.

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