attractive

adjective

at·​trac·​tive ə-ˈtrak-tiv How to pronounce attractive (audio)
1
a
: arousing interest or pleasure : charming
an attractive smile
b
: appealing
an attractive offer
2
: having or relating to the power to attract
attractive forces between molecules
attractively adverb
attractiveness noun

Examples of attractive in a Sentence

An attractive woman greeted us at the door. The camera has many attractive features at a very attractive price.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is one reason leeward ridges are so attractive to deer. Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 22 Nov. 2024 The cartoon game will run on ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+, the latest attempt by ESPN to devise new sports formats that are more attractive to young children and their families, perhaps, than the real thing. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024 In a world where fans can watch any game, from any angle, from the comfort of their couch, the cheap seats weren’t attractive. Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 18 Nov. 2024 Like, super hot — so attractive that he’s portrayed by Brad Pitt, who at the time was married to Friends star Jennifer Aniston. Brian Boone, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for attractive 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English attractif, attractive "drawing out foreign matter from the body, able to ingest nutriments," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French attractif, attratif, borrowed from Late Latin attractīvus "capable of attracting, drawing toward itself," from Latin attractus, past participle of attrahere "to draw with force, compel to come" + -īvus -ive — more at attract

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of attractive was circa 1540

Dictionary Entries Near attractive

Cite this Entry

“Attractive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attractive. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

attractive

adjective
at·​trac·​tive ə-ˈtrak-tiv How to pronounce attractive (audio)
: having the power or quality of attracting
especially : charming, pleasing
attractively adverb
attractiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on attractive

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