attract
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.
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.
to possess or exert the power of attraction.
Origin of attract
1Other words from attract
- at·tract·a·ble, adjective
- at·tract·a·ble·ness, noun
- at·tract·ing·ly, adverb
- at·trac·tor, at·tract·er, noun
- re·at·tract, verb (used with object)
- un·at·tract·a·ble, adjective
- un·at·tract·ed, adjective
- un·at·tract·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use attract in a sentence
New York City at the time, according to McBride, attracts men and women who are exploring and expressing their sexual difference.
His shop, Flamekeepers Hat Club, attracts Wall Street businessmen and downtown hipsters.
Today, the Web site attracts an average of 250,000 hits, and surpasses half a million on major sports news days.
Meet the Sports Host Who Could Decide the McConnell-Grimes Matchup | Jonathan Miller | October 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis astonishingly simple yet devastatingly graphic representation of mass carnage attracts many thousands of visitors every day.
Blood and War: The Hard Truth About ‘Boots on the Ground’ | Clive Irving | September 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSometimes the significance of an item in the news can be measured by how little attention it attracts.
Of course, most specimens are probably taken up in the summer when the handsome foliage attracts the eye.
How to Know the Ferns | S. Leonard BastinBut Perpignan being at the end of everywhere and leading nowhere attracts very few visitors.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeThe first incident in the babyhood of the Princess Alice which attracts attention is the record of her christening.
The Childhood of Distinguished Women | Selina A. BowerTheir beauty attracts undesirable attention, and their ignorance makes them an easy prey.
The value of a praying mother | Isabel C. ByrumThe patriot band attracts the brigand proper, who is not averse to continue his old courses under an honourable pretext.
British Dictionary definitions for attract
/ (əˈtrækt) /
to draw (notice, a crowd of observers, etc) to oneself by conspicuous behaviour or appearance (esp in the phrase attract attention)
(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
to possess some property that pulls or draws (something) towards itself: jam attracts wasps
(also intr) to exert a pleasing, alluring, or fascinating influence (upon); be attractive (to)
Origin of attract
1Derived forms of attract
- attractable, adjective
- attractor or attracter, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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