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

But what may be even more important is the assumption driving this particular falsehood, which is to lure people into a “debate” about whether any immigrants should ever get health care.

From Salon

Prosecutors portrayed Combs and his associates as luring female victims, often under the pretense of a romantic relationship.

From Los Angeles Times

The leadership transition comes as Hollywood tries to lure back film and television production that has relocated to other states and countries in search of lower costs and more generous tax incentives.

From Los Angeles Times

The three were lured to a house near the Argentine capital on 19 September.

From BBC

JPMorgan was lured in by what appeared to be a database of 4 million users.

From BBC