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:
Lubricants rarely attract much attention, but they are essential to modern machinery.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 29, 2026
Lancaster and Palmdale, the two incorporated cities of Antelope Valley about 15 miles west of Pearblossom, also attract unauthorized RVs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
Officials say efforts are underway to modernise the sector and attract new workers.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
While higher rates could hit gold prices, the downside looks limited as the debasement trade continues to attract investor buying, ANZ analysts write.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
The fires my pop set only seemed to attract ’em to us.
From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney
It now attracts four million visitors a year and employs more than 4,000 people, bringing much-needed economic support for the struggling communities of the Appalachian Mountains.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
Organisers say the event attracts 2,000 players from 100 countries, with some of the world's top esports stars among them.
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
When we offer supplementary food, such as seeds or meat scraps, this attracts birds of many different species in a combination and number that would not happen in nature.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026
Christmas Island, an Australian territory located around 1,000 miles from the mainland, attracts tourists looking to check out its natural habitats.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026
I work my way down the just-my-height shelves, through the alphabet—Alexander, Blume, Choldenko, DiCamillo—until a new spine attracts me and I pull it out.
From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari
Biotechs like Revolution Medicines, which had its pancreatic cancer drug approved this week, have attracted takeover interest this year as companies look for partnerships and takeover targets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026
Many of its shows have also attracted award show attention.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
In 1965, her work "Infinity Mirror Rooms", in which mirrors and lights create seemingly endless spaces, attracted millions of visitors.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
Betelgeuse attracted worldwide attention several years ago when its brightness noticeably dropped.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 27, 2026
The warmth attracted a wide array of living things.
From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown
Earlier this year, an oncology biotech with no drugs on the market—just promising research—was attracting takeover interest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
Gonzalez is not the first footballer to encounter negative reactions for moving to Saudi Arabia, with England midfielder Jordan Henderson attracting criticism following his transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in 2023.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
The two-part adaptation of “It” aired on ABC in November 1990, and drew a huge audience, attracting a reported 30 million viewers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
It "opens a major and long-awaited door to strengthening Syria's integration into the global economic and financial system, attracting investment and modern technologies, and supporting development opportunities."
From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026
Minka Levinsky was a poor girl with a habit of attracting gossip.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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.
