tempting
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tempting
Explanation
Anything that's tempting makes you excited or interested, like a tempting chocolate doughnut or a tempting offer to go to the movies instead of doing your chores. An invitation or offer that intrigues you is tempting—even if it might ultimately be a bad idea. It's tempting to skip school and spend the afternoon at the beach, but it's wiser to avoid the temptation. People commonly describe food they feel is bad for them as tempting. This sense of something that's both harmful and attractive comes from the original meaning of tempt, "entice to evil or sin."
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.
They may also weaken the pleasurable reward signals that make certain foods especially tempting.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 2026
It’s tempting to think that if the Swans were shopping in 2026, they’d be longing to once again hear the friendly tones of an L.L.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026
It is very tempting to look ahead at who we might face in our semi-final - either Argentina or Switzerland - but we have got to get past Norway first.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
I know it’s tempting to hold on to points, but if you are truly trying to get out of debt, it might serve you better to use them.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
The offer was tempting, but even on the off chance he'd actually come through with the money, there would certainly be strings attached.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
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.
