attract
Americanverb (used with object)
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attracts,
present (3rd person singular)
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attracted,
past participle, past
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attracting
present participle
-
to draw by a physical force causing or tending to cause to approach, adhere, or unite; pull (opposed to repel).
The gravitational force of the earth attracts smaller bodies to it.
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to draw by appealing to the emotions or senses, by stimulating interest, or by exciting admiration; allure; invite.
to attract attention; to attract admirers by one's charm.
verb (used without object)
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attracts,
present (3rd person singular)
-
attracted,
past participle, past
-
attracting
present participle
verb
-
to draw (notice, a crowd of observers, etc) to oneself by conspicuous behaviour or appearance (esp in the phrase attract attention )
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(also intr) to exert a force on (a body) that tends to cause an approach or oppose a separation
the gravitational pull of the earth attracts objects to it
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to possess some property that pulls or draws (something) towards itself
jam attracts wasps
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(also intr) to exert a pleasing, alluring, or fascinating influence (upon); be attractive (to)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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attractablenessnoun
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attracternoun
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attractornoun
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reattractverb (used with object)
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attractableadjective
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unattractableadjective
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unattractedadjective
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unattractingadjective
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attractinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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attractsimple
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attractssimple
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have attractedperfect
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has attractedperfect
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am attractingprogressive
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are attractingprogressive
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is attractingprogressive
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have been attractingperfect progressive
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has been attractingperfect progressive
Past
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attractedsimple
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had attractedperfect
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was attractingprogressive
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were attractingprogressive
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had been attractingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of attract
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin attractus “drawn toward,” past participle of attrahere “to draw toward,” from at- at- + trahere “to draw, drag, pull”
Explanation
To attract is to exert a force that draws something in, like the way a magnet attracts a paper clip. You might know the phrase, "opposites attract." This means you might be drawn to a personality type that is completely unlike yours. With attract comes the sense that the pull you feel towards someone or something is not entirely voluntary. It's quite possible to say that you are attracted to someone, but you don't really like them. Low prices can attract buyers into a store they would not normally go into, and standing on a street corner screaming loudly will probably attract quite a bit of attention, but not the good kind.
Vocabulary lists containing attract
Electricity and Magnetism - Introductory
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"Return to Titanic" and "Talking with Robert Ballard"
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Force, Motion, and Energy
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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.
See Examples For:
Although developed to attract foreign visitors, the resort is also open to local tourists.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
That store tended to attract customers from neighboring states like Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ohio.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
A spokesperson for the company said the development would bring "significant benefits", such as "the delivery of the new road bridge" and by helping "attract much-needed investment, create well-paid jobs and provide new training opportunities".
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
Violation of the orders would "attract suitable legal action", police said Thursday, but added that they would allow "selected persons" to gather at a "suitable place".
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Amazingly, it never seemed to attract much attention.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Anula took us to Tjöruhúsið, a local restaurant that attracts diners from across the country.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
The niche, sometimes unbelievable drama of this community attracts rubberneckers who’ve never even attempted German short rows or an Italian bind-off in their lives.
From Slate ● Oct. 11, 2026
The site now attracts volunteers of all ages and hosts activities including bat walks, birdwatching groups and events with schoolchildren aimed at encouraging a lifelong connection with nature.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
Stone attracts a lot of attention for her tender age and lavishly produced content.
From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026
“Now, Hattie, don’t be surprised if our laundry attracts company.”
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
But experts caution the growing popularity of the role has also attracted newcomers to the industry.
From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026
Reed’s online petition has attracted the attention of city Controller Kenneth Mejia, who said last week that he would investigate.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
This shared feature attracted the attention of Banfield and his colleagues because it suggested that scientists might be able to redesign the receptors to recognize additional fungal threats.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026
Soviet Jewish immigrants arrived in large numbers during the 1990s, while affordable housing later attracted growing numbers of ultra-Orthodox families.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026
When news of Shaffer’s hike leaked out, it attracted a good deal of attention—newspapers came to interview him, the National Geographic ran a long article—and the AT underwent a modest revival.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
He became San Francisco mayor in 2004, and the couple began attracting attention in Democratic circles, with Harper’s Bazaar dubbing them “the new Kennedys.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
TikTok’s CEO said AI-generated videos on the platform are attracting a smaller share of views than their prevalence might suggest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
In Philadelphia, a $5 billion shipyard project needs more space for shipbuilding, and has challenges attracting more customers beyond its owner, Korean company Hanwha Shipping.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
"The foreign direct investment pool is actually widespread because there are other countries, other sectors which are also attracting investment," he said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
As yet in the experimental stage, but nonetheless interesting, is the initial success in attracting male mosquitoes to playback recordings of the flight sound of the female.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
