attractive
- 1Having the power to charm or tempt through agreeable qualities; enticing.
The company countered with an attractive offer that included stock options.
Low taxes and cheap housing made the region attractive to young professionals.
UsageUsually attractive to someone: a region attractive to young families; also an attractive offer, price or option.
Similarappealing, tempting, enticing, inviting, desirable
Oppositeunappealing, uninviting, undesirable
- 2Pleasing or appealing to the senses, especially when describing someone viewed as a potential romantic partner.
Several coworkers admitted they found the new hire attractive.
Even in old photographs, her grandmother was strikingly attractive.
UsageUsed of men and women alike. A common pattern: find someone attractive.
Similargood-looking, beautiful, handsome, pretty, gorgeous
Oppositeunattractive, ugly, plain, homely
- 3Causing attraction; exerting an inherent force that draws objects toward something.
Opposite electric charges exert an attractive force on each other.
Gravity is attractive at every distance, drawing masses steadily together.
Oppositerepulsive
Note
In physics it names a force that pulls bodies toward one another, whether gravitational, magnetic or electrostatic. Here the word passes no judgment of appeal, unlike the sense of good looks. It simply reports which way the force acts.
Practice
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Origin
From Middle French attractif, itself from Late Latin attractivus; in English it corresponds to attract plus the suffix -ive.
Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- Attractive derives from Middle French attractif, from Late Latin attractivus, and corresponds in English to attract plus -ive. en.wiktionary.org